Baseball: Palmyra Stays Perfect, Holds Off Upset-Minded Hershey for 12th Straight Win

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Palmyra Stays Perfect, Holds Off Upset-Minded Hershey for 12th Straight Win

Palmyra entered Wednesday’s clash at home against Hershey holding an unblemished 11-0 record, and the Cougars had already handled the Trojans once earlier this season in an 8-2 win. But this time, Hershey arrived with upset intentions, and Palmyra had to dig deeper before pulling out a 4-3 victory to move to a dozen straight wins.

Hershey struck first in the top of the 1st, using two doubles to jump in front 2-0. But Matthew Eldridge helped Palmyra answer right away with a sacrifice fly in the bottom half, and Ezra Good followed with an RBI single to quickly bring the Cougars even.

After the two sides traded early punches, Palmyra moved in front in the bottom of the 4th when Julian Meley stole home to make it 3-2. Hershey answered again in the 5th, taking advantage of an error to tie the game at three and keep the pressure on the undefeated Cougars.

That set the stage for the decisive moment in the bottom of the 6th. With the game deadlocked, Jesse Willi grounded out, but it was enough to bring home the go-ahead run and give Palmyra the lead for good.

Logan Kriner earned the win on the mound for the Cougars, allowing five hits and three runs, two earned, over five innings while striking out five and walking two. Aidan Willard handled the final two innings in relief and shut the door, giving up no hits while striking out three and walking one.

At the plate, Meley set the tone from the top of the lineup by going 3-for-4. Gabe Kern and Joey White each added two hits, while Good and Willi drove in one run apiece. Palmyra finished with 10 hits, drew seven walks, and stayed aggressive on the bases with four stolen bases. Willard also showed patience at the plate, working three walks.

For Hershey, Bennett Sheppard, Blake Umberger, Bryce Erwin, Chase Erwin, and Grant Later each collected a hit. Sheppard and Erwin each drove in a run for the Trojans, who gave Palmyra all it could handle the second time around.

Palmyra, 12-0, will be looking for lucky #13 when it hosts Manheim Central on Friday.

Palmyra 4, Hershey 3

Palmyra Leaders

Julian Meley: 3-4, R, RBI, 2B, SB
Gabe Kern: 2-3, BB
Joey White: 2-3
Ezra Good: 2-3, RBI, 3B
Aidan Willard: 1-2, R, 3 BB, 3B
Jesse Willi: RBI

Pitching
Logan Kriner (W): 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
Aidan Willard (SV): 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 3 K

Hershey Leaders

Bryce Erwin: 1-3, R, RBI, 2B
Bennett Sheppard: 1-3, RBI, 2B
Blake Umberger: 1-3, R, 2B
Chase Erwin: 1-3, RBI
Grant Later: 1-4, R

Pitching
Wyatt Morgan: 4.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 6 BB, 5 K
Chase Erwin: 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K

Full Box Score

Last Game: Cougars Absorb Red Land’s Punch, Then Counter to Move to 11-0