Hot-hitting lineup making life easy for D’Ambrosio, Springfield

SPRINGFIELD — Left-hander Luke D’Ambrosio certainly hasn’t been desperate for run support this season.  In two starts, the Springfield junior has been spoiled rotten by his offense.

The Cougars plated nine runs in D’Ambrosio’s shutout of Harriton last week. On Tuesday, the Cougars sent 17 hitters to the plate … in the first inning. Needless to say, D’Ambrosio is grateful the Springfield bats are locked in when he’s on the mound.

“Getting those runs makes it easier,” D’Ambrosio said. “I’m able to just pound the strike zone and not have to worry too much.”

Springfield crossed the plate 11 times in the first inning Tuesday en route to a 15-1 victory over Penncrest in four innings. D’Ambrosio went the distance, striking out four and allowing only one hit, an RBI triple off the bat of Lions cleanup hitter Kellen Davis in the first.

After a couple of rebuilding seasons (not to mention a lost 2020 season due to the pandemic), the Cougars have won three of their first five games. They face their biggest test Wednesday when Central League leader Strath Haven comes to Church Road Park.

“We have a really good team,” D’Ambrosio said. “We have a lot of confidence and we’re playing a lot better this year.”

Senior captain A.J. Grande was 3-for-3 with two RBIs and three runs scored.

“We’ve been swinging the bats really well all year,” Grande said. “We’re going to come in tomorrow with the same mentality.”

Springfield’s first seven batters reached base off Penncrest starter Mike Costello. Slugging catcher Joey Little and Ronnie DeLollis each delivered with two-run doubles. Grande had a pair of RBI singles in the opening frame.

“I missed out last year and I couldn’t wait to get out and play with these guys,” said Little, who went 2-for-3 with a double and four ribbies. “I think this lineup is just perfect for the way that we play. We can go up against any pitcher we face and our lineup gives us a chance to win ball games.”

Leadoff hitter Zach Tropiano finished 3-for-4 with two doubles, three runs scored and one RBI. He reached base four times. Cody Grande, AJ’s brother, added two hits and an RBI. Matt and Mike Grapin both contributed a hit and two RBIs apiece. Jake Carlin reached base four times and Josh Kilgallen had a single and two runs scored.

D’Ambrosio was able to work on all of his pitches. Despite walking three, he did a good job painting the corners with his off-speed stuff and getting out in front of hitters.

“I just try to be more consistent with my pitches and help my team win games,” he said.

In other Central League games:

Strath Haven 4, Harriton 3 >> Koll Peichel’s walk-off home run in the bottom of the eighth inning lifted the Panthers (6-0) to their sixth straight win.

Haven’s 3-4-5 hitters of Peichel, Christian Thack and Simon Bollinger finished with two hits apiece. Chris Felder doubled and scored a run.

Michael Valente struck out nine in five innings of work, allowing four hits and one earned run. Brett Mutz hurled three innings of scoreless relief to get the win.

Marple Newtown 14, Radnor 6 >> Jimmy O’Brien launched a homer to power the offensive attack for the host Tigers, who scored eight runs in the fifth inning.  Justin Smith smacked two doubles and knocked in two runs, while Owen Mathes went 2-for-4 with two RBIs..

Lower Merion 10, Haverford 3 >> Cole Dempsey had a triple, two runs scored and a walk for the Fords (0-6). Hunter Kraiza singled and drove in a run.

In the Catholic League:

Cardinal O’Hara 9, Arch. Ryan 6 >> Quinn Martin banged out two hits, including a bases-clearing triple for the Lions. Dom Alfonsi churned out three hits and Jimmy Coppock added two.

In the Inter-Ac:

Haverford School 5, Germantown Academy 3 >> Ben Fosnocht’s three-run homer in the sixth inning gave the Fords (11-1) the lead in their Inter-Ac League opening win over the Patriots.  Ryan Getz also went yard in the inning. Jonny Flieder and Jake Stacey managed two hits apiece. Ryan Reed struck out five in six innings to earn the win.

In the Bicentennial League:

Christian Academy 12, Morrisville 0 >>  Lars Specht and Peter Cavacini combined to pitch the five-inning no-hitter for the Crusaders. Specht and Cavacini also both went 2-for-4 with two RBIs.