Eight-run third inning sends Neshaminy past Pennridge

SELLERSVILLE >> Neshaminy tallied three hits in the first two innings of its Suburban One League Crossover matchup with Pennridge Tuesday afternoon, but wasn’t able to turn those hits into any runs on the scoreboard.

When the Skins worked two one-out walks and reached on an error ahead of the meat of their order in the top of the third inning – they took advantage. Joel Bonner and Luke Hardnock sandwiched doubles around a Jake Kozlowski two-run home run to highlight an eight-run inning that provided all the offense Neshaminy needed in an 8-3 win over the Rams at James Memorial Park.

“Hitting is contagious,” Bonner, who went 4-for-4 with two doubles, said. “That’s all we did.

“That’s how we get these wins and that’s how we keep moving forward. It was a good, team win. Everybody hit today.”

Michael Morrow and Anthony Trommer worked one-out walks to get the big inning started. Rob DelBuono followed by grounding into an error, scoring Morrow to tie the game, 1-1. Trommer scored on a wild pitch to put the Skins (8-4, 5-4 SOL Patriot) ahead.

Bonner, the No. 3 hitter in Neshaminy’s lineup, doubled to score DelBuono before Kozlowski’s two-run home run to centerfield made it 5-1. Hardnock doubled and scored on a Robert Harrison single. Brandon Lall grounded out to bring home another run and Trommer’s two-out single made it 8-1.

“It’s the story of our whole season,” Pennridge coach Craig Whitten said. “It’s the third or fourth inning or the first inning. Early in the season the first inning was our achilles heel and now it’s third and fourth. This one, eight runs in the third inning.”

Pennridge (0-12, 0-8 SOL Colonial) jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning. Tommy Ginnetti hit a leadoff double, advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on a Joey Gregoire sacrifice fly.

The Rams, who have a very young team this season, added their second run in the bottom of the fourth when Matt Atchley singled with one out, moved to second on a walk and third on a balk. He scored on Joey Santora’s sacrifice fly.

The sac fly wasn’t Santora’s only contribution in the game. Pennridge’s catcher threw out all three Neshaminy baserunners that tried stealing second base.

“Joey’s got a clean release, he’s got a smooth release,” Whitten said after complimenting Santora’s ability to help his pitchers. “He’s going to Lebanon Valley next year and I think he’s going to do some good stuff with them. I’m excited for him. He’s hitting the ball really well now. He had two hits his last game, he (walked, singled and hit a sacrifice fly) today. I would like to see him be in the conversation towards the end of the season is he an all-league guy or not. I think if he keeps playing like he has been it’s going to be a hard conversation to leave him out of.”

Atchley capped the scoring with a solo home run to right field in the bottom of the sixth inning, pulling the Rams within 8-3.

Ryan Fox earned the win for Neshaminy. In four innings, the right-hander allowed two runs on two hits and struck out one batter to three walks. Steve Martin threw the final three innings, allowing one run on two hits with three strikeouts to one walk.

Garrett Navitsky suffered the loss. In 2 1/3 innings he allowed seven runs on seven hits. He struck out one batters to two walks. James Embert allowed one run on five hits in 2 2/3 innings and John Moyer threw two scoreless innings.

Neshaminy 8, Pennridge 3

Neshaminy 008 000 0 – 8

Pennridge 010 101 0 – 3

WP: Ryan Fox 4 IP 1 K 3 BB 2 H 2 R

LP: Garrett Navitsky 2.1 IP 1 K 2 BB 7 H 7 R

2B: N: Joel Bonner 2, Luke Hardnock. PR: Tommy Ginnetti

HR: N: Jake Kozlowski. PR: Matt Atchley