In this post, we will attempt to bring you details from as much of the Baseball action from around LebCo. It will be a rolling summary, as we get details, that will serve as a place where you can find out about what is going on.
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Monday, May 20
#8 ELCO 12, #1 Bermudian Springs 1 (District 3 4A – Quarterfinals
It might be a little too early to compare these guys to the 2021 ELCO team that captured the hearts of all of Lebanon County during a deep run into the June playoffs. Austin Smith was still in middle school when big brother Dakota Smith was one (very important) piece of that squad, but it’s no surprise that Austin had his own stellar outing tonight. Buoyed by an early 4-0 lead and a dozen total runs, Smith shut down the top seed and put up a line of three hits, one earned run, and two strikeouts to send the Raiders to the semi-finals. Smith put ELCO up 1-0, chasing home Niagara Community College commit Morgan Shanaman, who doubled to lead off the 2nd inning. Colin Bogart’s bunt single scored Bryce Auker, and a wild pitch allowed Sam Bechtel to scamper home for a three-run lead. Bogart drove in Gavin Bicher in the 3rd inning. Following two scoreless frames, Dallas George started a rally with one out in the 6th inning. Bicher drove him home two batters later, causing the floodgates to open. Shanaman drove in George and Kody Boyer to run the lead to 7-1. In the 7th, Braden Gettle was hit by a pitch, and Ethan Spang singled. George doubled home Gettle, then Boyer knocked in Spang, and George scored on the throw. Shanaman added a sac fly before the same guy who started the scoring, Smith, drove in Dawson Ocker. Shanaman had three total RBI, while Smith, Bogart, and Boyer each had two.
Following the game, ELCO Head Coach Brad Kreiser had high praise for his pitcher: “Austin Smith pitched an awesome game. He was very efficient early and kept his pitch count down. He had good control early on all his pitches and mixed them up well.”
He then talked about the Raider offense: “Our bats came alive today. Every spot in our lineup gave great at bats. We made their pitchers work hard and throw a lot of pitches we just battled all night in the box.”
Kreiser then said, “I couldn’t be happier with our guys. They’re buying into the little things we have been practicing and their hard work is showing”.
ELCO will be back in action on Thursday when they play #4 James Buchanan on the road.
Box Score
#1 Governor Mifflin 3, #9 Palmyra 0 (District 3 5A – Quarterfinals)
The Cougars hung tough with Governor Mifflin for five innings, but the Mustangs were able to scratch out three late runs–two on a home run and one on a first/third steal play– to send Palmyra to the consolation playback bracket. Fireballer Ethan Grimm controlled the Cougar offense, tossing a complete game, five-hit shutout, where he walked one and struck out twelve. Tasked with facing a powerhouse offense, Logan Kriner threw five solid innings for Palmyra, allowing two runs on three hits, with seven punchouts. Braeden Sommer had two hits, while Chase Blanchard, Nate Osteen, and Julian Meley each added one.
The Cougars will now enter the consolation bracket, Needing to win two games to punch their ticket to States, Palmyra faces (4) Southwestern, who was upset by (12) Lampeter Strasburg on Thursday for a shot at fifth place.
Box Score
#6 Fleetwood 3, #3 Northern Lebanon 0 (District 3 4A – Quarterfinals)
The Fleetwood Tigers blanked Northern Lebanon on Monday, stunning the Vikings and much of Lebanon County. Unable to capitalize on a two-out bases loaded situation in the 1st inning, the Vikings did not have another runner until the 6th inning when Connor Stoltz singled but was quickly stranded there. Fleetwood scored twice in the fourth and once in the seventh, as the Tiger pitcher allowed four hits and struck out nine. Adrian Gonzalez had a stellar outing as well, allowing three runs, one of which was earned, and striking out five, needing only seventy pitches in a complete game. Stoltz, Adrian Gonzalez, Brian Bicksler, and Penn State Harrisburg commit Moises Gonzalez each had one hit in the loss.
Northern Lebanon ends the season with a record of 18-4.
Box Score
#5 Biglerville 7, #4 Annville-Cleona 6 (District 3 3A – Quarterfinals)
Colten Shaffer allowed only one earned run, but errors undid the effort, as Shaffer was tagged for five more unearned runs, in what was a heartbreaking loss to the Canners. On the mound, Shaffer added eight strikeouts, and he did his part at the plate as well, accounting for two hits in three at-bats, with two runs scored and an RBI. Preston Bomgardner was 3-3 with a run and two RBI. Malachai Victa joined Bomgardner by driving in two runs. Biglerville took a 4-1 lead in the 3rd inning, but Annville answered with four runs in the bottom of the frame. Biglerville added one each in the 4th, 5th, and 7th to hang on as the Dutchmen attempted to rally when Tristian Dompier had an RBI single in the 7th.
Annville-Cleona finishes the season 13-8.
Box Score
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