TUNKHANNOCK — NEBall won the inaugural District 33 Majors Softball title on Friday as they rallied past Tunkhannock, 11-8.

After rain forced them off the field on Thursday NEBall traveled back to Tunkhanock up 5-3 but the hosts had the bases loaded with no outs.

On the restart Tunkhannock rallied, scoring six runs in the third to take an 8-5 lead.

NEBall came back with four runs in the top of the fourth to go up 9-8, then tacked on two insurance runs in the sixth as they held Tunkhannock scoreless the final three innings.

"It was so exciting as it has been a while for NEBall to win a district championship game," Molly Callear said about the win.

Callear went (2-for-4) with two runs scored and an RBI while pitching the first three innings, striking out six on the day.

Ellie Alderfer (3-for-4) finished with 2-RBI and three runs scored while tossing the final three innings to strikeout four.

It was Alderfer's bomb over the left field fence in the second inning Thursday that sparked the NEBall offense.

"It was so awesome as Ellie is my cousin," Callear said. "It was her first one ever."

Aliyah Kolesar (1-for-2) scored twice with an RBI as Rileigh Crawford (1-for-2) scored, and drove in a run.

Emma Eastabrook (1-for-3) had an RBI with Brooke Kolesar scoring, and driving in a run. Annalyn Eaton and Lindsey Russell also scored.

In the bottom of the third Tunkhannock's first seven batters reached, with Callear striking out three of the next four to get out of the jam.

"It was very scary," Callear said. "I just knew I had to throw strikes for my team. I felt relieved because we got out of a tough situation and then we could hit."

In the fourth, though, they scored the four runs, with Callear bringing in two on a single followed by a 3-ball error.

Alderfer and Aliyah Kolesar later scored to put NEBall up.

"It was very exciting because we were hitting the ball, and scoring runs, and making the comeback," said Callear. 

NEBall advances to the Sectional Tournament at South Williamsport with games slated to begin on June 30.

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