Christopher Dock shuts out Jenkintown for 2nd straight District 1-A title
FALLS >> There was plenty of credit to go around and soon a District One Class A championship trophy to pass around, as balanced Christopher Dock won its second straight title in commanding fashion Wednesday, 10-0 over rival Jenkintown.
Right-hander Daniel Sabath pitched five shutout innings, seven different Pioneer players had hits, and No. 9 batter Ryan Nichols knocked in the first four runs of the game, as the Pioneers head into states with plenty of steam.
“We have a really balanced lineup,” said Dock coach Ed Melendez, whose team pounded out 13 hits at Pennsbury High School. “Everybody can bat, no matter where they are in the lineup. Usually those players that I pick to go in the bottom of the lineup — they can hit in the clutch.”
Nichols got it going for the Pioneers, smacking a two-run single in the bottom of the second to put Dock ahead 2-0 on Drakes right-handed starter John Contoudis.
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Sabath retired No. 2 Jenkintown in order in the second, third and fourth innings, and then top-seeded Dock went back to work with the bats.
Justin Burkholder, Elias Gehman and Isaac Brunk started the fourth with three straight singles, and then again Nichols came through, knocking in a pair to make it 4-0.
“I enjoy it (in the nine hole). It allows me to just focus on hitting and I usually expect to see some more pitches down the middle — I can just focus on what I want,” said Nichols, who went 2-for-2 with a walk, four RBI’s and a run scored out of the DH spot. “We’ve just been focusing on getting ahead early and putting the pressure on the opponent.”
Dock put the Drakes in a substantial hole, plating seven runs in the fourth to put the game out of reach. After Nichols’ single — and with two outs in the inning — cleanup Andrew Walters and Nolan Bolton both drove in runs and another scored on a throwing error following a single by Burkholder, boosting the margin to 9-0.
The Drakes turned to Jameson Kolb in relief but Dock was able to finish things off in the fifth, as leadoff Tim DiLoreto reached on a fielder’s choice then raced home on an errant pick-off attempt.
A fine season for Jenkintown came to a close, with Christian Geer and Michael DiValentino supplying the two hits for the Drakes.
Dock opens states on Monday, with Sabath on the hill again.
“I think right now we have a legitimate chance with this type of lineup,” said Melendez, whose team reached the first round of states a year ago. “The guys can hit the ball well. I think we can continue on.”
