Baseball: Willard Powers Palmyra Past Bishop McDevitt as Cougars Begin New Win Streak

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Willard Powers Palmyra Past Bishop McDevitt as Cougars Begin New Win Streak

On Friday, Palmyra’s 36-game regular season winning streak was snapped by Manheim Central in a game that was marred in controversy related to a call in the 1st inning that resulted in the ejections of Matt Eldridge and coach Justin Hileman. On Tuesday, the Cougars looked to move past that drama and did just that, beating Bishop McDevitt 12-5 on the road despite being without both Eldridge and Hileman as they served mandatory one-game suspensions.

Aidan Willard led the response for Palmyra, blasting 2 home runs and driving in 4 runs as the Cougars improved to 13-1. Willard’s big night helped Palmyra reset after the emotional end to Friday’s loss and provided the spark in a game that featured a pair of late offensive bursts.

Bishop McDevitt grabbed a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the 1st when Palmyra committed an error and Josh Bernard drew a run-scoring walk. But the Cougars answered right back in the top of the 2nd. Julian Meley doubled home a run, Willard added an RBI single, and another run scored on a passed ball to put Palmyra in front 3-2.

After the Cougars added 2 more runs in the 5th on Willard’s solo homer and Gabe Kern’s RBI single, Bishop McDevitt pulled even at 5-5 in the bottom half of the inning. An error and a walk to Chase Clinkscale helped the Crusaders erase the deficit, briefly putting more pressure on Palmyra.

The Cougars responded with the decisive push in the 6th. Meley delivered another RBI double, Jesse Willi worked a bases-loaded walk, and Ezra Good ripped a 2-run double to make it 9-5. Palmyra then put the game away in the 7th when Meley doubled in 1 more run before Willard launched his 2nd homer of the night, a 2-run shot to right.

Logan Kriner earned the win on the mound for Palmyra, allowing 2 runs, both unearned, on 2 hits over 4.0 innings while striking out 7 and walking 6. Nate Holt was sharp in relief, tossing 2.1 scoreless innings without allowing a hit while striking out 4.

Palmyra finished with 11 hits and showed patience at the plate with 6 walks. Meley and Willard each collected 3 hits, while Meley also stole 2 bases. The Cougars were aggressive on the bases throughout, swiping 6 bags in the win.

For Bishop McDevitt, Jett Daugherty, Ryan Sprow, and Calvin Snyder each had a hit. Bernard and Clinkscale each drove in a run, and the Crusaders drew 9 walks as a team.

Palmyra (13-1) will be back in action on Thursday when it hosts Carlisle.

Palmyra 12, Bishop McDevitt 5

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Palmyra Leaders

Julian Meley: 3-5, 3 R, 3 RBI, 3 2B, 2 SB
Aidan Willard: 3-4, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR, BB, SB
Ezra Good: 1-3, 2 RBI, 2B, BB
Jesse Willi: 1-3, 2 BB
Gabe Kern: 1-5, RBI, SB
Nolan Bown: 1-3, 2 R, 2B

Pitching
Logan Kriner (W): 4.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 6 BB, 7 K
Grady Stephens: 0.2 IP, 1 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
Nate Holt: 2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Bishop McDevitt Leaders

Jett Daugherty: 1-4, R
Calvin Snyder: 1-4, R, 2B
Ryan Sprow: 1-2, BB, SB
Josh Bernard: RBI, 2 BB
Chase Clinkscale: RBI, 2 BB
Logan Boone: 2 BB

Pitching
Vince Leoni: 4.1 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 9 K
Jett Ordanoff: 1.0 IP, 2 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Jack Wierzbicki: 1.1 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB
Alex Brilla: 0.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB

Full Box Score