Rustin clinches Ches-Mont American behind four home runs
WESTTOWN — All season long West Chester Rustin has resembled the Ches-Mont version of “Murderers Row’.
The Golden Knights have mashed the ball around the various parts of the league all season and Monday afternoon Rustin captured the Ches-Mont American Conference title with a resounding 18-2 three-inning win over Kennett.
Charlie Concannon led the way as he has all season for the Knights (14-4 Ches-Mont, 14-4 overall). Concannon smashed two home runs and ended the day with six RBIs. Noah Yoder added a three-run homer and Andrew Coleman ended the rout with a long three-run blast of his own with one out in the third. The Knights belted out 18 hits for the game.
“We really had a good approach at the plate today,’ Concannon said. “We wanted to wrap up the Ches-Mont and it really is a great feeling because it was one of our goals coming into the season. Now, we have to get ready for the playoffs and try to do some damage there.’
Rustin jumped on Kennett (5-11, 5-11) starter Justin Hall for four first inning runs. Concannon swung at a low pitch and golfed a long three-run blast to right center to make it 3-0 in the first. The Knights added another run on Chris McMahon’s RBI single to make it 4-0 after the first.
Kennett did show some life in the top of the second as Greg Badis lifted a two-run homer to left field off Andrew Chobany to make it 4-2. However, Rustin was just getting started.
Rustin sent nine players to the plate off Badis in the second inning. Aided by two Kennett errors, the Knights scored five runs on five hits with Concannon and Yoder getting RBI singles to make it 9-2 after two innings.
“We got some runs in the first and then we wanted to keep it going and everybody chipped in,’ Concannon said. “We have real good chemistry on this team and we all pull for each other. We have not won the league in a while so it feels real good.’
Kennett coach Matt Royer went to the bullpen again for the third inning, bringing in Drew Mazzetti to face the potent Rustin attack. This did not work out for Kennett either.
Coleman led off with a single to center. Concannon followed with a long and high home run to right and the rout was officially on.
Four batters later, Yoder took Mazzetti deep over the left field fence for a three-run homer. After Kevin Dougherty struck out, Matt Coates walked. Vaughn Chambers followed with a single to center to put two men on with one out.
Up stepped Coleman and he lifted a Mazzetti fastball over the center field fence to mercifully end the carnage at 18-2 and give the Golden Knights the Ches-Mont American Division crown.
“Charlie is playing with so much confidence right now,’ Rustin coach Brad Harkins said. “And he hits the ball so hard all the time. He would have more RBIs but I have to hold guys at third base because his hits get to the outfield so fast. And today everybody hit the ball hard for us.
“We now look to the playoffs and I Iike our team. Our pitching staff is not flashy but they throw strikes and let the defense do their job. It is a real good group of kids that pull for each other and really like each other.’
