Plymouth Whitemarsh rallies in 7th, tops Downingtown East for 3rd in District 1-6A
UWCHLAN >> With the District 1 Class 6A championship going on just up the road, it might have been easy to assume neither Downingtown East nor Plymouth Whitemarsh would have much motivation for a comeback in their consolation game Thursday afternoon.
But, Plymouth Whitemarsh showed plenty of energy and came back from a two-run deficit, scoring three runs in the top of the seventh inning and ending the game on a diving grab that turned into a game-ending double play, to take third place in the district and beat the Cougars, 5-3.
Plymouth Whitemarsh will play the District 11 winner Monday — either Liberty or Emmaus — at a time and place to be determined. The Cougars will travel to play the District 2/4 winner — either Hazleton or Williamsport — Monday.
“Even though it was a tough game to be in, the kids showed a lot of resilience today,” Plymouth Whitemarsh coach Chris Manero said. “The kids on this team really embrace their roles. In the 15 years I have been coaching, I think this team does that better than any of the others. The courtesy runners, the pinch hitters and the kids who don’t get that many at-bats really do their job and that is just as important as the kid who hits in the third or fourth spot everyday.”
Downingtown East (16-6) battled back from a 1-0 hole to score three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning off Colonial (15-7) starter Zach Chandler. Anthony Giancantarino led off with a single that was followed by a perfect bunt by Dave Owsik that was not fielded, and the Cougars had men on first and second with no one out.
Matt Vitali then sacrificed both runners to second and third with one out. Will Vincent followed with a sharp two-run single to make it a 2-1 game. After a Colonial error, Connor Lynch hit a long sacrifice fly and Downingtown East had a 3-1 lead after five innings.
But Plymouth Whitemarsh battled back to score a single run off Cougar right-hander Mike Defant in the top of the sixth inning. Defant hit Drew Kliesh to open the inning, and one batter later, pinch hitter Daulton Carlisle roped an RBI single to make it a 3-2 game.
“Daulton is one of those guys who did not get a lot of at-bats this year,” Manero said. “But his pinch-hit in that inning was very big for us. He battled back from 0-2 to get the big hit. And Brett (Bottinger) shut them down. Brett is our No. 2 starter and he wanted to start this game, but he did great in his role as a reliever.”
Bottinger came in and threw two and a third innings of shutout ball with three strikeouts and kept the Colonials in the game before the PW offense took over in the top of the seventh inning.
Plymouth Whitemarsh sent nine batters to the plate against Defant and reliever Kevin Weigand, scoring three runs on just two hits, and the Colonials took a 5-3 advantage. Rich Werner led off with a single and took second after a balk was called and Joe Jaconski walked to put two men on with none out.
Ben Mascio grounded out for the first out, but both runners moved up. A run scored when Weigand unleashed a wild pitch to make it a 3-3 game. Weigand then gave up an RBI single to Kevin Reilly and three batters later, Jesse Jaconski’s ground ball made it 5-3.
Downingtown East got a one out-walk to Albert Choi in the bottom of the seventh. But Jacob Nunez made a great leaping catch off a Zach Burton line drive, and Nunez then doubled up Choi trying to get back to first, sealing the win.
“After Tuesday’s disheartening loss it was hard to get the kids up,” Downingtown East coach Pete Susi said. “And we started slow but we still took a 3-1 lead and then we kicked it away. This team will be able to come back next week.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh 5, Downingtown East 3
Plymouth Whitemarsh 000 011 3 — 5
Downingtown East 000 030 0 — 3
2B-Tomasetti, Joe Jaconski.
WP — Bottinger. LP — Defant.
