With his Tri-City All-Stars clinging to a one-run lead over Leslie County in the sixth inning Saturday in the Area 4 Tournament at Huff Park, coach Tom Vicini didn’t hesitate when Alex Creech, his top pitcher, reached the 20-pitch limit that left him eligible to pitch Sunday against Harlan in the game to determine second place and a trip to the District 4 Tournament next week.

Vicini walked out of the third base dugout and moved Creech from the mound to shortstop after Leslie’s Caden Shepherd reached on an error with two outs. He changed pitchers again after Dalton Hoskins singled to put two runners on base, then again when Tyler Baker walked to load the bases, then again when Isaiah Caldwell singled to turn a one-run lead into a one-run deficit. Peyton Jackson, the fourth Tri-City pitcher of the inning, finally worked out of the jam.

“The only way we have a chance against Harlan is with (Creech), and we’re in here to try to get to the district,” Vicini said. “If you win today and lose tomorrow, what have you done?”

Tri-City made the strategy pay off in the end by scoring two runs on five walks in the bottom of the sixth inning to win 7-6 and earn a matchup on Sunday at 3 against Harlan for second place in Area 4.

“We had to dig down,” Vicini said. “I never give up, no matter what happens. We were down to the last pitch a bunch of times tonight. We feel very fortunate.”

Tri-City collected only four hits, led by Creech with a double and single. Liam Garland and Jackson added one single each.

Caden Caldwell limited Tri-City to four hits through 4 2/3 innings, striking out 10 and walking three before reaching the pitch limit in the fifth inning.

“Their starter is one of the best pitchers I’ve seen in Little League in a long time,” Vicini said. “Why they saved him for us, I don’t know. He was awesome. He was firing it.”

Tyler Baker suffered the loss as he gave up three runs on nine walks with two strikeouts in one inning.

Braden Casolari started on the mound for Tri-City and gave up four runs on six hits in 4 1/3 innings, with five strikeouts and three walks. Creech struck out three and walked none in 1 1/3 innings, giving up one unearned run. Kaden Boggs and Aiden Craig each pitched to one batter. Jackson allowed one hit and recorded one out to earn the victory.

Caldwell hit a two-run homer to lead the Leslie offense. J.J. Johnson had a double and single. Baker and Dalton Johnson added two singles each.

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Leslie County 020 112 — 6. 7. 2

Tri-City 003 022 — 7. 4. 4

Caldwell, Baker (5) and Hoskins; Casolari, Creech (5), Boggs (6), Craig (6), Jackson (6) and Boggs, Garland (4). WP — Jackson (1-0). LP — Baker (0-1).