FORTH WORTH — Two Central Texas Little League teams advanced to the championship series Monday, but both ended their season’s in the “if” game.

Lorena’s 9/10 Little League baseball team came within one run of a state title, while Midway’s 10/11 squad lost, 7-3, in the second championship game.

Lorena forced a second game against Midland Northern, but came up one run short of the ultimate prize in a 4-3 loss.

Lorena fell into the loser’s bracket with an 11-1 loss to Midland Northern to open the tournament, but pulled itself into the championship series with a pair of close wins.

Lorena reached the championship series and defeated Midland Northern, 13-3, on Sunday to force Monday’s game. There, a sixth-inning walk with the bases loaded proved the difference.

“The boys played exceptionally well. Coming back like we did shows a lot of character,” manager Jeff Forrest said.

Midway 10/11

Midway forced another game with Lubbock Youth in the 10/11 bracket.

Lubbock Youth run-ruled Midway in its first meeting of the tournament, 10-0. Midway crawled back with a 6-4 win over McAllister Park to force the rematch with Lubbock Youth.

Midway took a 5-3 win in the first championship game, handing Lubbock Youth — the defending state champion — its second loss in two years, Midway coach Todd Thomas said.

Midway’s dip into the loser’s bracket cost it in the second game, though. With two pitchers out with shoulder injuries, Midway gave up three home runs in a 7-3 loss.

Midway took a one-run lead in the second and traded runs in the third, but Lubbock Youth scored two each in the fourth and fifth for the win.

“We had a great tournament, The kids fought hard the whole time,” Thomas said. “We’ll get ready for next year when it really counts.”

Lubbock Youth had outscored its opponents, 115-2, until the Texas West tournament.

The teams came into the day trying to join three softball teams who already won state titles. The Robinson 9/10, Midway 10/11 and Midway Little League squads clinched victories Sunday.