Downingtown West clinches first state berth by routing Spring-Ford
DOWNINGTOWN >> History joined heat in the air at Downingtown West High School on Friday.
Downingtown West’s Mike Mollenhauer is about to beat the throw to Springford catcher Sam Barletta to score. Downingtown West would go on to win 10-1.
The third-seeded Whippets cemented a berth in the state tournament for the first time in school history with a convincing 10-1 victory over No. 10 Spring-Ford in the District 1 Class AAAA quarterfinals Friday.
West will face Council Rock North in the semifinals Tuesday at a site to be determined.
Downingtown West (19-2) exploded for five third-inning runs, erasing a 1-0 deficit, and rode the stellar pitching of senior Joey Zettlemoyer, who limited the Rams (16-5) to just six hits on the day.
Freshman Eric Grintz drove in four, and Mike Mollenhauer added a pair of RBIs to spur the offense.
“To get into states is a great thing for the school and the team,” Grintz said. “We took advantage of some walks and hit batters. It is always easier to win when you score runs. We made them pay for the walks.”
Spring Ford used five pitchers, who accounted for seven walks and two hit batters.
The West’s third-inning uprising came with one out as starter Jake Zoller walked two. J.P. Bell then reached on an infield single to load the bases. Nick Campana tied the game with an RBI groundout. Mollenhauer ripped a stinging two-run double to center field to take the lead for good. Grintz followed by taking a fastball and depositing it deep into right field for a two-RBI single and a 5-1 lead, and West was on its way to school history.
“We made them pay for some mistakes on the mound,” Zettlemoyer said. “Eric is just a ninth grader, and Mike is a wonderful player. Those two guys are amazing and are two of the best guys I probably will ever play with.”
Spring-Ford base runner Thomas Hughes escapes a pick off attempt at first base during game with Downingtown West.
The Whippets were not done. With Zoller knocked out of the game, the offensive barrage continued against four relievers. Two more walks in the bottom of the fourth inning aided the scoring of two more runs. Bell and Campana walked with one out, and then Mollenhauer reached by getting plunked on the arm to load the bases. Grintz came through again as he laced a fastball to left field, scoring two more for a 7-1 lead after four innings.
“Our pitching has been excellent all season,” Spring-Ford coach Bruce Brobst said. “So to give them nine free passes to first base is something you cannot do at any level. They took advantage of those mistakes we made. We gave them opportunities in all three innings they scored and you just can’t win doing that. We opened the door for them with those walks and hit batters.”
Zettlemoyer allowed a two-out single to Quinn McKenna in the fifth inning, his third hit of the game, but he retired Conor Larkin on a grounder to shortstop Ryan Giordoni, who played flawless defense all day, to end the threat.
“Joey is just so tough out there,” Downingtown West coach Dave Oleszek said. “He changes speeds so well and he lets his defense do their job and our defense was solid all game.”
The Whippets piled on three more runs in the fifth, and almost had the game under the mercy rule.
“This team really wants to do well, and to make states is a great thing for these kids,” Oleszek said. “We got a lot of timely hits today and good pitching and defense, and that will win you a lot of games. I am really happy for the kids.”
