Griffin comes though late to power East past Rustin in extra innings
By Peter DiGiovanni
pdgiovanni07@gmail.com
@PeteDLNontwitter
WEST GOSHEN >> West Chester East senior infielder and pitcher Mason Griffin knew he had to do something to help his team win its first game of the season after a tough loss to Downingtown East Monday. Griffin delivered for his team on the mound and at the plate the following day.
Not only did he come in relief and throw three scoreless innings while striking out five West Chester Rustin batters, he also delivered the game-winning RBI double in the bottom of the ninth inning as the host Vikings defeated a game Rustin squad, 5-4 in nine innings in a wonderful Ches-Mont league game Tuesday afternoon at Price Field.
“We had a couple of men on base and I just wanted to get my bat on the ball in put the ball in play because I had two strikes on me,” Griffin said. “He threw me a high fastball and I got a good piece of it and we really needed this win after losing a tough game yesterday.
“We have a lot of young talent on this team like our freshman catcher Jackson reed. He blocks everything behind the plate and with the young guys I think we can be in contention in the Ches-Mont this year.
“When I go out there on the mound in relief I think I am the best guy on the field and I just try to throw strikes. That is what you have to do in the Ches-Mont.”
The contest had its up and downs as the Vikings (1-1 Ches-Mont, 1-1 overall) took an early 2-1 lead that lead quickly evaporated as the Golden Knights (0-2, 0-2) took a 4-2 lead after four innings. But the Vikings came back to score a single run in the bottom of the fifth inning off Rustin starter Dan Wood.
Joey Wileczek led off with a sharp single to left field and went to second on a Sean Wilmer single. After Jackson Reed struck out, Ryan Cogill reached on an error with Wileczek scoring from second base and the Golden Knights lead was down to 4-3 after five frames.
The score stayed the same as the Vikings came up for their last chance in the bottom of the seventh inning against Golden Knights reliever Matt Betchyk. Wilmer led off with a single to right field and advanced to second base after a great sacrifice bunt by Reed. Cogill flied out to deep right with Wilmer moving to third base with two out. Griffin then roped an RBI single sending the game into extra innings.
“These kids give me everything they have,” West Chester East coach John Fleming said. “We showed in these two games that we can pitch. The key for us is are we going to be able to hit? Mason was very good today on the mound and at the plate. These kids give great effort and that is all you can ask for.”
Both teams went scoreless in the eighth inning and West Chester Rustin went down in order in the top of the ninth with Griffin striking out the side. This all set up the Vikings’ winning rally in the bottom of the inning.
After Wilmer grounded out to start the inning, Reed cracked a bloop single to center field to put a man on first with one out. Cogill lofted a fly ball to left field that was dropped setting up Griffin’s heroics as he took reliever Pete Reinheimer’s 2-2 pitch deep to right center and the Vikings celebrated a very hard fought win.
“Our kids really battled and showed a lot of grit and determination,” Rustin coach Brad Harkins said. “We can clean up some things but this team has shown they are willing to fight.”
