First they showed they had the pitching. Then that they had the hitting.

In the process, Moon Township Little League showed it knew the way to Bristol.

Moon Township claimed a pair of victories over Media Little League in the best-of-three Pennsylvania state championship series, edging their Eastern Pennsylvania opponents by a 3-1 score in the opener and then homering five times in a 12-5 decision in the teams' second meeting.

With the sweep, Moon Township earned its first-ever state championship in the major baseball division, and advanced to the Mid-Atlantic Region tournament in Bristol, Connecticut.

"This is a great group who has worked extremely hard," said Moon Township manager Tim Volek, whose team won all fourteen of its games against Pennsylvania opponents. "The kids take it upon themselves to train, and it has shown in their play all season long."

Marco DeBlassio's pitching effort sparked Moon Township in the series opener, as he limited Media to Kevin McGowan's solo home run before giving way late in the game to reliever Matt Capo. Moon Township also generated its offense with the longball, as Rocco Moue's two-run homer in the fifth made the difference in the game.

"They had some tough pitching," said Media manager Ed Show, whose own pitcher, Russell Rhoads, held Moon Township's potent offense to just five hits in a losing effort. "It was a battle all the way until the end."

The next day, Moon Township showcased its offense, slamming five home runs in a victory that closed out the series. Kyle Bondi homered twice for the winners, while catcher Mason Prickett, Capo, and Justin Tambellini also cleared the fences.

Prickett's home run was the big blow, as his fourth inning grand slam extended Moon Township's lead to 8-1.

"Mason has been one of our most productive hitters in our lineup over this series," said Volek. "The grand slam was a key hit that busted the game wide open."

Moon Township pitcher Josh Bogats struck out four batters in 5-1/3 innings before Capo again entered to close out the win. McGowen delivered two hits, including a solo home run, and drove in three runs for Media.

Moon Township had slammed 15 home runs in its four game sweep in the Western Pennsylvania championship series just prior to its meetings with Media. Bogat's walk-off, two-run homer gave the District 4 champions an 8-6 victory over Warren American in the tournament opener. Moon Township grabbed an early 5-0 lead in the game, but watched Warren American draw level before Bogat's deciding blow.

The next day, Moon's offense more in-form, as the team drilled five home runs in a 9-5 win over Jersey Shore/GSV Little League. All nine Moon Township runs scored on the homers, as Bogats and DeBlassio each connected twice and Maue added one of his own.

"Marco and Josh have been two of our best hitters," said Volek of the game's primary power sources. "Rocco Maue hit his first-ever home run in this game. The first (Jersey Shore pitcher) was throwing mostly fastballs, and we are definitely a fastball-hitting team."

"Moon Township really hit the ball well," concurred Jersey Shore manager Steve Huling, whose team had beaten Moon Township in the Western Pennsylvania championship game in the 11-year-old division the prior year. "Hopefully we can rebound from that (but) they really do have a good hitting team."

The victory earned Moon Township a berth in the Western Pennsylvania championship game, though the team first dispatched Mifflin County Little League, 13-3, in its final round robin game. DeBlassio homered twice in the win, while Prickett and Capo added shots of their own.

Moon Township continued its power show the next day, collecting four home runs and three doubles in a 10-0, five inning victory over Warren American. Bogats homered twice and also threw a two-hitter. DeBlassio and Prickett also homered, and Capo collected a pair of doubles.

"We didn't win one tournament as 9-year-olds," said Volek after his team extended Moon Township's deepest-ever progression in the international tournament. "I think we won one B-level tournament as 10-year-olds."

Somewhat overlooked among the team's 15 home runs in the Western Pennsylvania tournament was Moon Township's defense. The team played error-free defense in four games at the Western Pennsylvania finals, and committed only three errors in all games against Pennsylvania opponents.

Media also swept past its opponents in the Eastern Pennsylvania finals. Media blanked Red Land Little League, 5-0, in their first round robin game, then Colin McGuire's three-run homer in the second inning helped propel the District 19 champions to a 10-4 victory over Council Rock Newtown Little League.

After outslugging Jessup's Carbino Club Little League, 18-8, in their final round robin game, Media overpowered Council Rock Newtown, 11-1 in four innings, in the championship game. Nate Englaka's first inning double drove in a pair of runs as Media jumped to a 3-0 lead, and Russell Rhoads' homer in the second helped extend the advantage to 5-0. Three consecutive doubles and McGowan's long home run to center keyed a six-run onslaught in the fourth as Media pulled away for the win.

Media pitcher Kevin Mohollen allowed just three baserunners and threw a one-hitter in the win.

The core of Media's team had also captured the Eastern Pennsylvania championship in the 9-10 year old division in 2007, and the league's 2008 9-10 year old all-star team captured the state championship.