The Andy Valley 12U All Stars captured the state championship, defeating Mt. Ararat in thrilling style.

Undefeated Andy Valley was down 5-1 going into the bottom of the sixth inning before tying the game, and clinching the title in the extra inning.

That sixth inning started with a full-count walk by Ben English. Connor Truman hit a single to give Andy Valley runners at first and second with no outs.

After two strikeouts, Andy Valley was still down 5-1 and down to its last out. Tyler Swanbeck then hit a single that scored Ben English. Ben Bernier was intentionally walked to load the bases and bring up Troy Johnson.

Johnson took a pitch and singled in a run to make it 5-3. Emery Chickering tied the score with a two-run double.

The game ended in the 7th inning with a bases-loaded, walkoff walk by Bernier.

Andy Valley swept districts 3-0 and went 4-0 through the state tournament in Fryeburg.

Bernier, Chickering, Josh Eliot and Johnson handled the pitching duties for the championship run. Bernier was a major contributor for the team with his solid pitching, tough bat and leadership behind the plate.

Leadoff hitter Tyler Swanbeck used his bat and speed to cause havoc on the base paths for his opponents. Jack Morton backed up his solid second base play with his bat, hitting a homerun that ended Game 1 against Berwick. Chickering hit a towering homerun in that game, as well.

Chickering also handled much of the catching duties for his fellow pitchers.  Johnson and Eliot were solid at the plate, in the field, and on the mound. Truman tracked down fly balls and made key hits to help his team advance to regional play.

First baseman English and econd baseman Mack Pelletier led the defense and had key at-bats in late innings that helped either tie or win games. Duncan Forbes added outfield depth, making key catches in pressure situations. Jack Crane and Tanner Mann both played stellar defense and gave Andy Valley much needed depth in the batting order, contributing late-inning hits that helped the Andy Valley cause.

Andy Valley will represent Maine in the Cal Ripken Regional Tournament in Burlington, Mass., starting July 20.