Mason Pennypacker launches Pottstown to 9-7 extra-inning win over Upper Merion

KING OF PRUSSIA >> Upper Merion will be joining the Pioneer Athletic Conference next fall, and it appears the Vikings are already building a rivalry with Pottstown.

Gene Walsh — Digital First Media Pottstown’s Aiden Owens watches his hit during game against Upper Merion April 4, 2016.
Gene Walsh — Digital First Media
Pottstown’s Aiden Owens watches his hit during game against Upper Merion April 4, 2016.

After a competitive recent scrimmage, the teams went at it in a steady rain Monday and into extra innings. Pottstown prevailed, 9-7, on Mason Pennypacker’s two-run, two-out single in the top of the ninth.

“It was a pretty good win. We had a big rivalry with them last game in the scrimmage, and this was getting pretty heated because we wanted to win real bad – it counts for district points,” said Pennypacker.

Pennypacker led the way offensively for Pottstown (2-1), driving in five runs, including a three-run homer in a 3-for-3, three-walk day. The Falcons, wanting to spread the work among their pitchers to prepare for two league games this week, definitely got some good, judicious usage, employing six hurlers.

Upper Merion (1-2) showed plenty of substance as well. Among some good efforts by the Vikings was a strong long relief performance by John Paul Batten, who largely quieted the Pottstown bats after the Falcons’ explosive start.

“We saw them in a scrimmage a couple of weeks ago and we knew they have a good squad, so it was nice to have a good battle with them today,” said Upper Merion coach Matt Mitchell. “John Paul came in and did a good job of keeping them off balance.”

Pottstown notched two runs in the first as Pennypacker’s twin brother, leadoff man Logan, smacked his first of two triples. Mason, the No. 3 hitter, doubled and Aiden Owens singled in the inning.

Upper Merion, though, responded with a five-run bottom half of the first. Mike Hutchinson and Jarrett Quinn doubled in succession. Ben Gutkowski and Jake McGrath delivered two-run hits to make it 5-2.

Gene Walsh — Digital First Media Pottstown’s Nate Camacho dives back to first on a pick off attempt during game against Upper Merion April 4, 2016.
Gene Walsh — Digital First Media
Pottstown’s Nate Camacho dives back to first on a pick off attempt during game against Upper Merion April 4, 2016.

Then came a big Pottstown second inning, a four-run outburst to take the lead, fueled by Mason Pennypacker’s three-run shot. The Vikings tied it 6-6 in the third on a bases-loaded walk.

In the fourth, Batten became the first pitcher in the game to record a 1-2-3 inning. Pottstown reliever Dalton Mullen answered by striking out the side.

Upper Merion nudged ahead in the fifth. A textbook bunt to the third-base side by Matt Choi got things moving. A hit batter loaded the bases, and Hutchinson delivered an RBI single to make it 7-6. But Pottstown tied it in the sixth by working counts, loading the bases and getting a sacrifice fly from Chris Stone.

Both teams had runners aboard in the first two extra innings but couldn’t take advantage. Pottstown finally made its opportunities count. After Logan Pennypacker walked and Nate Camacho reached, Mason Pennypacker delivered. In the bottom half, Pottstown’s sixth pitcher, Owen Morton, held firm to end the near three-hour game.

“Everyone stepped up big – we had six pitchers throw today and they all threw well. It was a great overall team win,” Mason Pennypacker said. “I’m proud of our guys. I think we have a big, bright future in front of us.”

“I’m really proud of how our guys hung in there,” Pottstown coach Jeff Evans said. “Our last game, Owen J. (Roberts) kind of kicked us around…We got some timely hits.”

“We’re fortunate we got to see them twice this year, and next year we’ll see them in the league,” Mitchell said.

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