BETHLEHEM, Pa. - After 18 innings of baseball, the only thing we know for sure is that Middlesex and Northampton will battle it out one more time on Sunday for the right to advance to the Region XIX Final Four at Cumberland next weekend.

The Spartans, seeded 4th, and the Colts, seeded 5th, split their Region XIX playoff doubleheader on Saturday, with Middlesex taking game one 2-1 and the Spartans rebounding to win game two, 9-7, forcing a decisive third game on Sunday at noon. 

GAME ONE (Lost 2-1)
Trailing 1-0 entering the top of the 9th inning, Middlesex used a 2-run homerun from Angel Rodriguez to shock the Spartans and steal game one of the Region XIX best of three playoff series. The Spartans had gotten on the board in the bottom of the 5th, as Franklin Ramirez (Reading, PA/Berks Catholic) scored off a fielders choice from Roanderson Severino (Reading, PA/Reading ).  Aaron Gentry (Reading, PA/Exeter) finished 3 for 4, Ramirez was 2 for 3 and Liam Grande (Trappe, PA/Perkiomen Valley ) was 1 for 3.  Kyle Arganbright (York, PA/Hempfield ) held the Colts scoreless, tossing 7 innings of shutout baseball, allowing 5 hits and striking out 11.  Tyler Widitz (Stewartsville, NJ/Phillipsburg (NJ)) took the loss in relief, allowing 2 runs on 3 hits, while fanning 2.  

GAME TWO (Won 9-7)
In game two, Northampton jumped out to a comfortable 8-1 lead, but had to hold on down the stretch to secure a 9-7 victory in game two.  Roanderson Severino (Reading, PA/Reading ) hit a homerun (first of his career) in the bottom of the 7th to make the score 9-4 Northampton, but the Colts scored 3 runs in the top of the 9th, before the Spartans were able to close the door and move the series to a deciding third game on Sunday. 

Colton Hooker (Warrington, PA/Upper Moreland ) had a monster game for Northampton, finishing 3 for 5 with a double, homerun and 6 RBI. Brendon Caraway (Riegelsville, PA/Palisades) earned the win on the mound, improving to 4-2, going 6.2 innings, allowing 4 runs on 9 hits while striking out 6.  

The Spartans are now 26-11 overall, while Middlesex moves to 29-15.

Game time for Sunday's decisive third game is scheduled for noon, however weather and field conditions could potentially push the game back.