Shorthanded Westtown finds a way to edge Lionville, 3-2

By PETE DiGIOVANNI

Staff Writer

WESTTOWN — Winning teams, the teams that fight through hard times, are the ones that are the most successful. The Westtown American Legion team has been shorthanded six of their players for a week now due to a Senior Trip to Mexico and the Express have lost three one run games in the interim. Thursday night, behind a strong four-hit pitching performance from Pat McDonough, the Express held off Lionville for a much needed 3-2 victory.
McDonough gave up two unearned runs to the Hillcats (5-4) and kept the potent Lionville attack off balance with a live fastball and a nasty curveball that he kept down in the zone. McDonough, who is not a regular pitcher says he enjoys being on the mound.
“I did not pitch during the high school season and I pitched a little in the Legion season,” McDonough said. “I enjoy pitching and I hope to pitch in college at Stevens Institute. Tonight, my fastball was good and I was throwing it for strikes and my curve was getting called for strikes down in the zone.
“We have been shorthanded but we get our guys back for Sunday’s game against Kennett and we hope to keep it going after this win. We have been in a lot of close games and it was nice to finally get one. This summer baseball is a lot of fun and this win makes it better.”
Westtown jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first when after Zach Stein-Rock struck out, the ball was in the dirt and the Lionville catcher threw high to first base and Stein-Rock ended up on second with two out and scored on a sharp RBI single by Connor Bartholomew for the early 1-0 advantage.
The Express (4-5) piled on two more runs in the top of third inning when three straight singles loaded the bases with none out. Gabe Puzzangara hit a chopper back to the mound. Pitcher Ben Bates threw home for the force out but again catcher Owen Lawton’s throw to first base was high and into right field and the Express scored two more unearned runs and it was a 3-0 game.
“We got some breaks but maybe we deserved them,” Westtown manager Tom Travers said. “And Pat really pitched a great game and he threw 90 pitches and really bailed us out tonight.”
Lionville came back in the top of the fourth inning when Albert Choi opened the frame with a single to center field. Choi then stole second and went to third on a passed ball. After McDonough got Connor Lynch to fly out to right fields for the first out, Anthony Giancantarino chopped a ball to first base that got past Westtown first baseman Ryan Wittman allowing Choi to score and it was a 3-1 game.
Choi then tried to bring the Hillcats back himself when he ripped a ball to right field that got past the Express right fielder and allowed the speedy Choi to circle the bases and it was a 3-2 Westtown lead after six innings.
But, McDonough held off the Hillcats in the top of the seventh inning. Dan Gibson led off the inning with a hot shot third base that Puzzangara stopped, picked up and threw to defensive replacement Harry Ianelli who made a great scoop for the first out. Evan Bogacki popped out to first for the second out and McDonough ended the game by striking out Luke Egan on a check swing and Westtown had a tough 3-2 win.
“This is a great group of boys,” Travers said. “We have been shorthanded but these guys have not quit and hopefully we can get on a roll when the get back Sunday.”