DISTRICT 4 BASEBALL: ERRORS PROVE COSTLY AS ATHENS FALLS TO LOYALSOCK IN CLASS AAA QUARTERFINALS (22 PHOTOS) (2019-05-22)
By TIM BIRNEYValley Sports ReportATHENS "” Loyalsock took advantage of a pair of Athens throwing errors to score four unearned runs on the same play to take control of the game in the sixth inning of a come-from-behind 11-3 win here Wednesday afternoon in the quarterfinals of the District 4, Class AAA baseball playoffs.
"It's a tough way to end the season," said Athens coach Brendan Hitchcock. "We definitely aim for the postseason, so this stings. We want to compete at the highest level, and know we need to show up in the one-and-done format we get in the playoffs."
The Wildcats took the lead early with a run in the bottom of the first inning.
With one out, senior Nick Watkins reached base on a bunt single, and senior Nate Kennedy followed with a line-drive single to right field. With two outs, senior Joe Parshall ripped an RBI single to right-center field to give the Wildcats the lead.
Athens added to its lead in the top of the third inning. Senior Kaden Rude reached base on an error to lead off the inning, then was picked off first base, but was safe at second base when the throw to the bag was dropped.
Watkins followed with a bunt single, but Rude was forced to hold at second base. After a double-steal, Kennedy roped a two-RBI single to left field to make it 3-0.
From that point on, the Wildcats had just one hit against Loyalsock hurler Anthony Pastore.
"(Pastore) had a rough start in the first couple of innings, but he settled down and was able to be efficient over the final four innings," said Hitchcock. "He found a way to get some quick outs, stay in the game, and keep our bats at bay in the second half of the game."
Pastors allowed three runs - two earned - on six hits, while striking out eight and walking none in seven innings to earn the win.
Athens ace junior Keegan Rude sailed through the first 3 1/3 innings, allowing only a two-out double in the first inning, but a walk, a passed ball, a dropped third strike, and an error put the Lancers on the board with two outs in the fourth.
Another Athens error trimmed the lead to 3-2, and Joeb Schurer tied the game with an RBI single.
Loyalsock loaded the bases with one out in the top of the fifth on two Athens errors and a walk, but Keegan Rude registered a strikeout, and a lazy fly ball to right field to escape the jam.
"Keegan is our horse, and we were relying on him," said Hitchcock. "He did a really fine job to keep us in the ball game.
"His pitch count got up, and we thought it was time to start fresh in the sixth (inning)," added Hitchcock. "Keegan did what we needed him to do today. He did a great job."
Keegan Rude earned a no-decision, allowing three runs - none earned - on two hits, while striking out five and walking two in five innings.
Loyalsock loaded the bases with one out in the top of the sixth inning.
On the first pitch to Rees Watkins, Schurer scampered down the line looking to steal home, and Watkins, a left-hand batter, slapped a slow roller down the third-base line. Two wild throws later, the bases were clear, and the Lancers led 8-3.
"It certainly was unconventional, especially with a lefty in the box," said Hitchcock. "To steal home, you're not necessarily expecting that move with that side of the plate open for a tag. They made a bold call, and it worked out today."
The Lancers added four more runs in the top of the seventh inning to provide the final margin.
Kennedy singled twice and drove in two runs, while Watkins singled twice and scored two runs, and Parshall singled twice and drove in one run to account for the Wildcats' six hits.
The Wildcats committed eight errors in the loss.
Athens wraps up the season with a 15-5 record. It was the last game for the senior class of Kaden Rude, Kennedy, Watkins, Parshall, Ethan Witherow, and Jared Williams.
"We have a good group of six seniors, who have performed very well on the field, and are guys who will be missed off the field," said Hitchcock.
"We had aspirations of going further in the postseason, but we'll take the NTL title - we're proud of that effort," he added.
Hitchcock is looking forward to the 2020 season.
"We're excited about the crop we have coming up, and we definitely feel good about the future."
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IN PHOTO 1: Athens junior Keegan Rude. ... PHOTOS BY TIM BIRNEY.
