Council Rock South tops Neshaminy to make playoffs

LANGORNE — Entering their regular season finale, Council Rock South knew they needed to beat Neshaminy to keep their playoff hopes alive. To meet the challenge, the coaching braintrust placed the ball in the capable hands of their ace pitcher Jordan Silverman.

Jordan relished the role he would play, “It was a big game. If we win, we are most likely in. If we lose, we’re most likely out. Right now, we’re on the cusp. The game meant playoffs or no playoffs. I’d like to say I’m one of the team leaders. I want to at least take my team to the playoffs.’

To fulfill the dream, the talented lefty hurler knew he faced a potent Neshaminy lineup. “They have a lot of talented hitters and a lot of power, especially on that field today with the wind blowing out (toward the) fence. I had to spot my pitches well. Their one and two hitters (Evan Matthews and Jake Stickler) are solid contact hitters. Their number three hitter (Kyle Skeels) is probably one of the better hitters in the league. I had to watch my pitches against him.’

Early action only validated Jordan’s concerns. Matthews led off the bottom of the first by lining a single to left. Skeels then plated Matthews when he poled a double to the gap in left-center.

Neshaminy added two more runs in the bottom of the second to take a 3-1 lead. Matthews was again at the center of the action, doubling home Neshaminy’s second run. Ken Lehman completed the home team’s scoring when he raced home on Jake Stickler’s ground out.

That was all the runs Neshaminy would muster as Jordan bore down. Over the last five innings, the southpaw would grant only two harmless singles while whiffing six batters.

“I tried to keep my team in it. That was the most important thing to me. We already had a couple games this week and our pitching was obviously thin. I wouldn’t say I got stronger as the game went on though mentally I got stronger because I knew it was a tough situation because we were down.’

Control proved key to Jordan’s mound prowess. He realized he was battling a tough opponent as well as a tail wind that favored the hitters. “I tried to stay away from the center of the plate. My fastballs were either in or out. If they got a good piece of it, I knew it was going to go.’

Experience told the senior lefty to try and utilize the weather conditions. “I threw a slider and a change-up. My fastball was moving a lot today. Since the wind was blowing out, I felt like I was in a wind tunnel. I felt I was throwing straight through it so everything had ridiculous movement on it. I spotted my change-up well.’

With Jordan holding Neshaminy (6-13, 4-10 SOL) in check, the Golden Hawk hitters finally rallied against starter Jordan Angjelo in the sixth inning. After the first two batters grounded out, Angjelo tired and issued two free passes. Reliever Zach Boop entered the game and intentionally walked Connor Macaulay. The next batter Nick Fabiano was hit by a pitch, plating Dean Obarowski with the tying run. Cody Kutler followed, stroking a single to center to score Josh Kim and Macaulay, and giving CR South a 5-3 lead.

The Hawks (10-8, 8-6 SOL) added an insurance run in the top of the seventh when Dean Obarowski’s third hit of the game brought Nick Crane racing home from second.

Though excited over the 6-3 win, Jordan still eyed a bigger prize. “I was happy we got the win but I really want to get a playoff game. I didn’t want this to be my last start. I didn’t want that feeling. I’ve been cherishing every moment of this season. It was so much fun. I don’t want it to end. I love the thrill of each game. High school ball is so intense.’

When he does throw his final high school pitch, Jordan will head off to pitch for Rider College. “I am excited about that. It’s a dream I’ve had since I was a youngster to be able to play for a D-1 level school.’Based on his performance against Neshaminy, the Rider coaching staff is undoubtedly very excited that Jordan is heading their way.