10U LITTLE LEAGUE BASEBALL: CORNING OVERCOMES WEATHER SUSPENSION TO TOP HORSEHEADS FOR DISTRICT TITLE (24 PHOTOS) (July 7, 2026)

BY BRIAN FEES
Southern Tier Sports Report
HORSEHEADS — The Corning (National) 10u Little League team overcame a stoppage due to rain as they beat Horseheads 10-9 to capture the District 6 title. 

“That break is tough for them,” Corning coach Bryant Dillon said. “But, I’m proud of how they stayed in it. We did a little batting practice today before today’s game just to get their eyes seeing the ball again. Fortunately, they stayed dialed in and came back and continued to fight like they have been all year.”

Horseheads scored a run in the first inning on Monday, before Corning scored two in the bottom of the first. Horseheads tied things in the second and scored five in the third to lead 7-2.

Corning then used a six-run third inning to take an 8-7 lead after three before rain halted the game in the top of the fourth.

For Corning getting the lead before the game was stopped was big.

“That’s the story of this team,” Dillon said. “They fight and they continue to keep their heads up. There have been other times during the season, for instance the first time we played Horseheads we were down 1-4 in the bottom of the sixth and we came back and won that one too. Our kids right there, they stay in it and they fight the entire time.”

On Wednesday Corning tow two runs in the fifth to seal the win. 

After she missed the first part of the game Monday, Evelyn Miller was back at shortstop on Tuesday.

For Dillon it’s special to see a girl play shortstop on a district title team.

“She’s a fantastic shortstop,” Dillon said. “As far as fundamentals go, just absolutely top notch. So we were excited to get her back today and I think she was excited to be back. 

“This is the greatest feeling in the world to trot out a starting shortstop that is a girl. She is a warrior and she continues to battle. She practices nonstop, I’m really proud of her.”

Corning is right back at Horseheads at 11 a.m. on Saturday for sectionals.

“That’s a good feeling (having sectionals at Horseheads),” Dillon said. “We were in it last year. Five of the kids are coming forward with us from last year. We traveled to Cicero last year which was pretty tough and took a lot out of them. It’s great to have it here in Horseheads and we are excited for it. That’s a huge benefit for us. We’ll take batting practice in our home field before we go and we’ll be able to get good sleep and be ready.

“We have been here several times and obviously we played here twice already this year so we are familiar with it.”

The games near home also means bigger crowds for Corning.

“I think Corning will show up for us and support us, super excited,” Dillon said. “They feel it when the crowd is roaring they step it up another notch.”

Both teams got strong relief pitching on Tuesday.

Michael Spaulding threw 3 2/3 innings of two-hit shutout ball, striking out four for Corning. Tate Williams struck out three in 2 1/3 innings to start the game.

Jaden Jansen worked 2 1/3 innings allowing three hits and two unearned runs, striking out two for Horseheads. Jordan Kramer struck out three in 2 2/3 innings. 

Vaust Fusco had three hits and scored two runs for Corning and Spaulding had a double, two RBI and two runs scored, while Ryan Hesch had a hit and two RBI.

Colton Peiffer had a hit and scored a run and Grayson Putney also had a hit and scored a run. River Dunkleberger had a hit and an RBI and Wyatt Hunter had a hit, an RBI and a run scored. Williams scored a run. 

Jansen had two hits, with an RBI and a run scored for Horseheads. Griff Malnoske had a triple, three RBI and a run scored and Leo Vasicek had a double and scored a run.

Camdyn Voewell had a hit and scored a run and Peter Aikman  had a hit. Andrew Hill scored a run and Lucas Blauvelt scored two runs. 
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PHOTOS BY BRIAN FEES

PHOTO GALLERY FROM BOTH MONDAY AND TUESDAY:

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