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Their view: Small-town papers have a crucial job

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McKinney powers RailRiders in 15-8 slugfest vs. Charlotte

<p>Back Mountain National racked up 20 hits en route to a 15-4 win over Bellefonte on Friday in opening round of the Little League 9-11 baseball state tournament at Lehigh Little League in Bethlehem.</p><p>Zach Paczewski finished 3 for 3 with a home run and five RBI while also picking up the win on the mound. Alan Lisman added four hits, including a homer, and drove in four. Jude Nocito (three hits), Mike Cumbo (three hits), Joey Peters (two hits, two RBI) and J.J. Rischawy (two hits, two RBI) rounded out the offense.</p><p>Section 5 champion National will play again at 6 p.m. Saturday against Section 7 champ West Side, which won its opener 8-7.</p><p><strong>STATE TOURNAMENT</strong></p><p><strong>9-11 SOFTBALL</strong></p><p><strong>Nittany Valley 11,</strong></p><p><strong>Pittston Area 6</strong></p><p>Section 5 winner Pittston Area trailed by a run heading into the final frame before Nittany Valley pulled away in an opening-round matchup at Fairchance Little League.</p><p>Katie Wywoda struck out three in six innings for Pittston Area and led the offense along with Natalya Soto, Abigail Nowakowski and Serenity Lostrick.</p><p>Pittston Area moves to the elimination bracket, where it will face either host Fairchance or Williamsport at 4 p.m. Saturday.</p><style>
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<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>Times Leader</p></bylineMeta></div><div class="metaInfo"><shirttailMeta><p>Reach Times Leader sports at 570-829-7143 or on Twitter @TLsports</p></shirttailMeta></div>

Back Mountain National wins state opener