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Thursday, May 23
#8 ELCO 7, #4 James Buchanan 4 (4A Semifinals)
After closing out the season on a three game win streak to sneak into the Distrcit 3 4A Playoffs, the Raiders have continued their hot streak. Following their upset 12-1 win over top-seeded Bermudian Springs on Monday, ELCO was back at it again on Thursday when they traveled for a semifinal matchup against James Buchanan, the #4 seed.
ELCO drew blood in the 1st inning when Dallas George led off with a hit, and Bryant Auker followed it up with a two-RBI hit to give the Raiders a 2-0 lead. Morgan Shanaman was back on the hill and set the tone early when he retired the first three Buchanan batters, all by strikeout. Gavin Bicher then gave ELCO a 3-0 lead in the 2nd following a George walk and singles by Kody Boyer and Ethan Spang. Buchanan responded with a solo shot in the Bottom 2nd to cut the ELCO lead to 3-1.
After a scoreless 3rd, Buchanan scored three runs in the Bottom 4th to take a 4-3 lead. When it looked like the clock could strike midnight, ELCO called a squeeze as Colin Bogart executed to score Auker. In the Top 6th, with the score knotted 4-4, Shanaman again showed that he is clutch in more ways than one when he hit a three-run home run to cross George and Boyer, giving ELCO a 7-4 lead. The starting pitcher picked the perfect time for his first career varsity homer. He then carried that momentum with him back to the mound, where he shut down Buchanan in the final two frames as ELCO was able to get the victory.
Shanaman finished the game, going all seven innings, giving up four runs (two earned) on four hits and striking out six. At the plate, he was 1-3 with a walk, home run, and three RBI. George was 1-2 with two walks and two runs scored. Auker was 2-4 with two RBI, while Bogart also added two hits and an RBI. Bicher was responsible for plating a run as well.
ELCO will now face East Pennsboro on Tuesday in the District 3 Championship Game. The game will take place at Earl Wenger Field.
#9 Palmyra 3, #4 South Western 1 (5A Consolation Semifinals)
After defeating Hershey and then losing to top-seeded Governor Mifflin, Palmyra was tasked with traveling to South Western to play in the District 3 – 5A Consolation Semifinals. A win by the Cougars would be necessary in keeping their season alive.
Jonathan Strohecker was back on the mound for Palmyra after last appearing in the game, where he stymied Hershey over four innings of work. His strong arm would be needed to give his team a chance at victory.
The game was scoreless until the 3rd inning when Chase Blanchard hit a sac fly to score Alex Dorta, giving Palmyra a 1-0 lead. South Western would tie it up when they hit a solo homer in the bottom half of the inning.
In the Top 4th, Palmyra would add two more runs to take a 3-1 lead. The RBIs came courtesy of Tyler Peck and Julian Meley. Strohecker would then shut the door on South Western the rest of the way, as Palmyra left York County as the victors.
Strohecker finished the complete game, scattering six hits, allowing one run, and striking out one. He was efficient in the effort, as he threw just 78 pitches.
Peck and Meley each had two hits, while Blanchard accounted for the only other hit for Palmyra.
The Cougars will now play in the 5th-place game against rival Lower Dauphin, with the winner moving on to States. That game will take place on Tuesday at Palmyra.
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