HAMILTON -- Deja vu?

In a comeback win reminiscent of the District 11 tournament, the Ironton 10-year-old All-Stars rallied past North Canton 4-3 Saturday in the opening round of the Little League state tournament.

Ironton trailed 3-2 going into the bottom of the sixth and won on a two-run singled by Justin Mahlmeister.

"We were faced with a do-or-die situation like we were in the district, and we won the game and went on to win the district. We're hoping this is the same kind of jump start," Ironton coach Jim Mahlmeister said.

Ironton will now play Canfield at 5 p.m. Sunday.

Tanner Riley got the win with a four-hitter. Nick Harrison took the loss.

"(Harmon) was the best kid we've seen. He threw hard and he threw strikes," coach Mahlmeister said.

Jack Kastor doubled, stole third and came home on a passed ball as North Canton went up 1-0 in the third inning.

But Ironton rallied to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the inning.

Tyler Salyers was safe on an error and scored when Anthony Harper tripled. Riley was safe on an error as Harper scored.

North Canton pushed across two runs in the top sixth.

Harrison was safe on an error, Joey Houses walked, and Matt Donchess hit into a fielder's choice as the tying run scored.

Eric LePage walked and Sterling Metzger was hit by a pitch to force home the go-ahead run.

Riley settled down and got a short fly out, a strikeout, and a pop up to end the rally.

Then came the clutch Ironton rally.

Brian Warner singled to start the inning. Aaron Allen beat out an infield hit and both runners moved up on a throwing error. An out later, J. J. Lewis went into the game as a pinch-runner and Justin Mahlmeister singled on an 0-2 pitch to score both runners and give Ironton the win.

N. Canton001002--343

Ironton002002--471

Nick Harrison and Conner Jarvis. Tanner Riley and Brian Warner. W-Riley (4-K, 4-W). L-Harrison (6-K, 0-W). 2B-N. Canton: Jack Kastor. 3B-Ironton: Anthony Harper. Hitting-N. Canton: Eric LePage 1-1, Jack Kastor 2-3, Conner Jarvis 1-2; Ironton: Tyler Salyers 1-3, Anthony Harper 1-3, Brian Warner 1-3, Aaron Allen 1-2, Codey Jones 1-2, Justin Mahlmeister 1-3, Tres' Wilks 1-3.