Neshaminy’s big first inning sinks Downingtown East in 6A quarters

PLYMOUTH >> For six innings, things went very well for Downingtown East Thursday in the PIAA quarterfinal against Neshaminy.

The problem was there was one inning that came before those six.

A bad first inning was enough for the Redskins to take a hard-fought 3-1 win to end the Cougars’ season. Neshaminy rapped three of its four hits in the first inning off Downingtown East (17-7) starter Dave Owsik, who also walked his only batter of the game in the bottom of the first inning.

“We spotted them three runs and we gave them outs and you cannot do that now,” Downingtown East coach Pete Susi said. “David got into a rhythm after the first inning and he was great. We got some hits but could not put together the big inning.”

Neshaminy (19-6) started the game in good shape when Matt Yauger worked a walk to start the first. Cory Joyce and Joe Kaleck then singled, and the Redskins were up 2-0. Dalton Turner singled and Tyler Jones knocked courtesy runner Josh Martocci in and it was a quick 3-0 Neshaminy lead after just one inning.

Owsik was lights out after that as he retired 13 Neshaminy batters in a row until Turner’s one-out double in the sixth inning. The Cougars junior finished the day by allowing just four hits, walking just one and striking out six in a masterful performance.

“David is very tough when he is on and he really gave us a great chance to win the game,” Susi said. “We got hits but a lot of them were with two outs and we could not break through.”

Neshaminy starter Max Temple was breezing through the potent Downingtown East lineup until the top the fifth. Temple was painting the outside corner and getting his breaking ball over for strikes.

But in the fifth inning the Cougars mounted a serious challenge. Anthony Giancatarino led off with a long double to the right field fence and scored when Owsik ripped a fastball for an RBI single to make it a 3-1 game. But, Temple bore down and got out of the inning with no further damage, striking out the dangerous Albert Choi to end the inning.

The Cougars came out roaring again in the top of the sixth inning. Singles by Connor Lynch and Tommy Ajjan opened the frame, and Neshaminy coach Dan Toner went to his bullpen for closer Jake Fehrle to quell the East uprising.

All it took was one pitch. Fehrle challenged Zach Burton with a fastball and Burton grounded into a 6-4-3 double play. Cam Reichlin followed by striking out and Neshaminy escaped with its 3-1 lead intact.

“I was a starter early in the year but Max was pitching so well they made him a starter and I became the closer,” Fehrle said. “We switched roles and my fielders did a great job behind me like they have all season. I think we have one error in the last five games. I just came in and tried to pound the zone and my infield did the rest.”

East had one last chance in the top of the seventh inning. Giancatarino led off the inning by popping out to to first base and Owsik followed with pop to third for the second out of the inning. But, Matt Vitali kept the Cougars’ hopes alive by singling to right field. Fehrle got leadoff hitter Will Vincent to ground out to second and the Redskins earned a spot in Monday’s semifinal against Souderton.

“I was going to bunt Zach in the sixth inning but I gave him one swing because he has the power to put it over the fence,” Susi said. “But, this team was a pleasure to be around. They are a very tight-knit group and they all have each others’ back. We just came up short today. Neshaminy is a very good team. They throw strikes and they play defense.”

Neshamniy 3, Downingtown East 1

Downingtown East 000 010 0 – 1

Neshaminy 300 000 x – 3

2B-Turner, Giancantarino.

WP-Temple. LP-Owsik.