Coatesville edges Avon Grove, takes Ches-Mont National title

CALN >> It is said that nothing worthwhile in life comes easy. That old axiom can apply to Monday night’s Ches-Mont National Division showdown between Coatesville and Avon Grove with the league championship on the line.

Coatesville jumped out to an early 3-0 lead in the first inning and hung on for a thrilling 3-2, win that gave the Red Raiders the Ches-Mont National Division title.

Coatesville reliever Connor Monaghan struck out Caleb Starwhecker with two men on base in the top of the seventh inning to preserve the win and secure the crown.

It was the second win of the season for the Red Raiders (13-5 Ches-Mont, 14-5 overall) over Avon Grove, which gave the Red Raiders the tie breaker.

“I do not feel that any situation is too big when I come into a game,” Monaghan said. “To win the Ches-Mont means everything to us. We chased them all season and we worked very hard and it is just a great feeling to win it. I just come in and throw strikes and I know my guys have my back.”

Coatesville jumped on Avon Grove (13-5, 14-5) ace Brayden Gregg in the first inning although Gregg’s defense let him down in the first inning. Shane Monaghan led off with a double for the Red Raiders. Joe Mozzone followed with a single to put men on second and this with no one out.

Magnus Kreiger knocked in a run with a grounder to short and Coatesville had a 1-0 lead. Justin Weaver walked and then two infield Avon Grove errors led to another Red Raiders’ run. Spencer Ferguson lofted a long sacrifice fly to score the third run.

Coatesville starter Ben Jones tamed the potent Red Devils’ attack for almost six innings as he allowed just three Avon Grove hits while striking out eight batters. But the Devils mounted a two-out rally in the top of the sixth inning.

With two out in the inning Nathan Schwing lofted a single to left field. Strawhecker walked to put two men on with two out. Joe O’Connor promptly ripped an RBI single to left field.

Aidan Casey then laced an RBI single to center field and suddenly it was 3-2 and it was clear that Jones was struggling.

Jones loaded the bases when he hit Owen Yoder with a pitch but ended the Devils’ threat by striking out Ken Askin and stranding the bases loaded.

After the first inning trouble, Gregg held the Red Raiders down so we headed to the seventh inning with Coatesville holding a slim 3-2 advantage.

Trevor Dosenbach led off the seventh inning and Monaghan plunked him with an inside pitch.

The next Devils’ batter was Jackson Mills but Monaghan struck him out for the first out of the inning. Trent Dosenbach lofted a high fly to right field that was lost in the lights and Avon Grove had runners on first and second with one out.

But Monaghan struck out two dangerous hitters in Schwing and Strawhecker to end the game and give Coatesville the coveted Ches-Mont National title and a first round bye in the upcoming District 1 6A playoffs.

“It was great that we had to beat Avon Grove to win the championship,” Coatesville third baseman Jack Francis said.

“We chased them all year but we really prepared for them and we let everybody know that when you play Coatesville you are going to be in a dogfight. We are 100 percent a team that is going to fight you the whole game.”

Coatesville coach Hal Ziegler was very emotional after the win and he was given a big bear hug by his son and former player, Lance. It was clear how much this title meant to the elder Ziegler.

“This is just a typical Coatesville team that never quits,” Ziegler said. “They are a bunch of grinders and they never, ever give up.”

Coatesville 3, Avon Grove 2
Avon Grove                          000 002 0 — 2
Coatesville                            300 000 x — 3
2B — Shane Monaghan.
WP — Jones. LP – Gregg.