The Derry Ukes won their first Latrobe-Derry Area Teener League title since 2019 in dramatic fashion this past season, as Tristan Lettie delivered a walk-off double in the bottom of the seventh, propelling the Ukes to the championship at Rosa-Oglietti Park on July 22.

Lettie’s rocket to right field scored both JoJo Monios and Matt Fernell, giving the No. 4 seed Ukes (19-7-1) the dramatic 6-5 victory against Frontier Club. As a result, the Derry Ukes swept the best-of-three series.

One night after the Ukes’ defense was crucial in their 6-3 triumph against third-seeded Frontier Club, the Ukes committed eight errors. Those blunders loomed large in the seventh, including a pair of errors by Lettie, which allowed the Wagoneers to score the go-ahead run.

The Ukes wasted no time in engineering their rally in the bottom of the inning, however, as JoJo Monios was plunked on the first pitch of the inning, and Fernell was also hit by pitch. That set the stage for Lettie, who pounced on the first offering he saw and drove it to the fence in right field. The speedy Monios easily scored, while the throw into the infield couldn’t be corralled cleanly, allowing Fernell to score the decisive run.

With Lettie starting on the mound for the Ukes for the second night in a row, the Wagoneers scored in the top of the first inning. The Ukes had an immediate response, though, as their first four batters each singled. JoJo Monios, Fernell, Lettie, and Mikey Monios all produced hits, while Mason Zinkham later added a sacrifice fly to put the Ukes ahead 2-1.

After a scoreless second, Frontier Club took the lead back in the third, aided by three errors by the Ukes.

In the bottom of the third, the Derry Ukes scored twice themselves, as JoJo Monios and Lettie were both hit by pitches. Mikey Monios had an RBI single, while Zinkham drove in another run with a fielder’s choice.

The Wagoneers pulled even in the fourth, and the pitching on both sides found a rhythm for the next few stanzas.

In his outing on the mound, Lettie allowed four runs, including two earned runs, on six hits, while walking four and striking out seven. Monios earned the victory, as he threw two innings, allowing an unearned run on one hit, with no walks nor strikeouts. He was also an offensive dynamo, reaching base three times and scoring three runs. Lettie and Mikey Monios each had a pair of hits.

To go along with their championship season, a $500 donation will be awarded to the Derry Ukes baseball team as part of the Shining Stars program from Smail Kia in Greensburg and the Westmoreland Sports Network.

ABOUT SHINING STARS: Shining Stars is a program formed by Westmoreland Sports Network and Smail Kia in Greensburg to recognize and support Westmoreland County student-athletes whose academics, community and athletic excellence shines the brightest. Two teams will be chosen as Shining Stars each season throughout the year with both receiving funding to assist their booster programs. The program has now contributed over $15,000 to local teams.