Upper Moreland’s ace has the upper hand in win over Phoenixville

UPPER MORELAND >> Opening games of postseason playoffs usually match the number one pitchers of both teams. That tends to create close, exciting games with the accent on pitching and defense.

The opening quarterfinal game of the District 1-AAA playoffs between host Upper Moreland and Phoenixville fit the bill perfectly Tuesday afternoon.

Both Upper Moreland’s Joe Bates and Phoenixville’s Matt Osisek-Byrne were magnificent on the mound. And both the host Golden Bears and visiting Phantoms supported them with some outstanding defensive plays, too.

So in the end, second-seeded Upper Moreland scratched out a run with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to record a 1-0 victory over seventh-seeded Phoenixville.

Bates fashioned a one-hit shutout during his seven-inning complete game. He ended up with five strikeouts and no walks. The only hit he yielded was a two-out single to right field by shortstop Nick Opalkowski in the fourth inning.

Osisek-Byrne turned in a four-hitter with one earned run allowed, four strikeouts and one walk.

In the decisive seventh inning, Upper Moreland’s Christian Leighton was hit by a pitch. Ryan Lowry laid down the sacrifice bunt that moved Leighton into scoring position at second base. Nick Pagano grounded out to first baseman Zach Masalski, with Leighton taking third base.

That brought up Randy Meehl, the leadoff batter and center fielder for the Golden Bears. Meehl worked a 2-2 count and then lined a hit to right field to plate Leighton with the winning run.

Upper Moreland (15-4) advances to a semifinal contest against No. 3 Bishop Shanahan, which ousted Upper Perkiomen, at a neutral site Thursday.

“Joey Bates pitched a great game and our defense played really well,” said Meehl. “Christian getting hit by the pitch was huge. Him getting to second gave me the opportunity. Throughout the game, my teammates played great, and that’s what got us to the next point.”

Meehl picked up two of the Golden Bears’ four hits. He also singled to center field in the third inning and stole second base, but he wound up being stranded at third base.

“It was a tight game, but I think we were the better team and showed it in the end,” said Meehl.

Connor Casey (double) and Pagano had the other hits for Upper Moreland.

“You get the other team’s number one pitcher,” said Upper Moreland coach Ken Irwin. “We knew they had a good team. Both pitchers were phenomenal. It was our fastest game of the year. Joey kept us in the game all season.

“It doesn’t have to be pretty. Just win and move on. Just win. Both pitchers pitched to contact. Both teams made the plays.”

Phoenixville’s defense came up with some key plays that forced Upper Moreland into stranding eight baserunners. Herman was glad to see that from his young ballclub that he said has made steady, gradual progress.

“I couldn’t ask for any more from him,” Herman said of Osisek-Byrne, who was also a designated hitter this year. “He pitched one heckuva game. Give their pitcher credit. He pitched to contact with three off-speed pitches. We hit the ball hard, but right at them. It was the best we hit the ball all season. We hit so many line drives.”