By Scott Huff
WILLOW GROVE – Plymouth Whitemarsh has finally taken residence in the SOL American Conference penthouse.
The Colonials – considered by some as the conference favorite in the preseason – has now tied Upper Moreland for the top spot in the conference standings after defeating the host Golden Bears 9-7 on Friday. Both PW and UM have a 7-4 conference record.
“We came into the season with very high expectations.” Said Colonial senior Alex Klein. “It was almost like we expected to go undefeated in the league, but when we got off to the bad start, we had some time to think about it.”
The conference season began with losses to Upper Merion, Wissahickon, and Cheltenham. And the Colonials were in the SOL American Conference basement.
“We had the six-game conference win streak, and then we lost to Upper Dublin in that suspended game,” said Plymouth Whitemarsh head coach Robert Slagle. “It was great to have a chance to play Upper Moreland with first place on the line.
“There is only one league champion,” continued Slagle. “And right now we have to be motivated to be that league champion.”
Upper Moreland also has its sights set on the conference championship.
“We felt going into the season that PW had to be the favorite,” said Upper Moreland head coach Eric Rehr. “But once our record became 6-3, we told the kids that there is no reason why we can’t win it.
“Even with this loss, we are still in first place,” added Rehr. “If we can win out, we can win a championship.”
The stretch run for the Bears include a Monday game with Wissahickon (6-4), a Tuesday night game with Upper Dublin (4-5), and a Thursday game with Springfield (1-8).
The stretch run for the Colonials includes a Saturday game with Cheltenham (3-6), a Monday game with Springfield (1-8), and a Tuesday game with Norristown (6-4).
“Norristown and Wissahickon are right in that mix.” Said Rehr. “It should be an exciting way to end the season.”
The knot at the top of the standings was created with the huge PW win over the Bears.
“We got some timely hitting today, ran the bases well, and had one big inning,” said Slagle. “When we do that, we have a good chance of winning.”
Upper Moreland, though, took a 1-0 first inning lead when Tim Santry walked, advanced to second and third on wild pitches, and scored on an RBI single by Lucas Armstrong.
PW rallied to tie the score in the top of the second inning as Klein walked, advanced to second on a wild pitch and scored on an RBI single by Rafe Pilgrim.
The Colonials increased the lead to 3-1 in third inning on an RBI double by Matt Mondimore and a SAC-fly RBI by Dan Rosenbaum.
PW pushed the margin to 4-1 with a solo run in the fourth inning. Pilgrim slapped an RBI double to score catcher Bobby Slagle – who had an infield single.
Upper Moreland sliced the lead to 4-2 on an RBI single by Jason Montgomery. The hit scored Sean Valenza who had singled earlier in the inning.
PW seemingly blew the game open with a four-run fifth inning to snatch an 8-2 lead. Ryan Dolan and Klein each stroked two-run singles for the winners.
However, the Bears rallied for two runs in their half of the fifth inning to cut the lead in half. UM scored on an RBI single by Dave McInerney and an error.
The lead became 9-4 in the top of the seventh inning as Pilgrim drove home his third run of the game. Klein opened the frame with a double and scored what proved to be the final PW run.
Slagle lifted Colonial starter Chris Quarino after six good innings. Quarino allowed four runs, but struck out eight Bear hitters and issued only two walks.
“The last time I pitched against them I had 10 strikeouts,” said Quarino. “I like to mix my pitches, but they seemed to hit my curve ball later in the game.”
Upper Moreland put a scare into the Colonials in the last of the seventh inning. Bear designated hitter Brandon Watts blasted a three-run home run to cut the lead to 9-7. That score would become final.
PW is right where most thought it would be on May 8, 2009 – at the top of the standings. It just took them a little longer to get there.
Plymouth Whitemarsh 0 1 2 1 4 0 1 - 9 10 1
Upper Moreland 1 0 0 1 2 0 3 - 7 10 2
Plymouth Whitemarsh: Ryan Dolan ss 4 0 1 2; Mike Graney cf 3 1 0 0; Matt Mondimore 2b 2 2 2 1; Dan Rosenbaum rf 3 1 2 1; Taylor Runyen dh 3 0 0 0; Nick Guarnio ph 1 1 0 0; Alex Klein lf 2 3 2 2; Kevin Burdick 1b 4 0 1 0; Bobby Slagle c 3 0 1 0; Nick Kirby cr 0 1 0 0; Rafe Pilgrim 3b 3 0 2 3. Totals 28 9 10 9.
Upper Moreland: Tim Santry 3b 3 2 2 0; Pat McKay rf 3 0 1 0; Lucas Armstrong 2b 3 2 1 1; Dave InInerney c 4 1 1 1; Brandon Watts dh 4 1 1 3; Sean Valenza ss 4 1 2 0; Steve Sawa p 2 0 0 0; Eric LaFlamme p 1 0 0 0; Mike Rosenbaum ph 1 0 1 0; Jason Montgomery cf 4 0 1 1; Mike Janus 1b 3 0 0 0. Totals 32 7 10 6.
2B – {PW-} Mondimore, Klein, Pilgrim.
HR – {UM-} Watts.
Plymouth Whitemarsh INN H R ER K W
Chris Quarino (W) 6.0 8 4 3 8 2
Rafe Pilgrim 1.0 2 3 3 1 1
Upper Moreland
Steve Sawa (L) 4.0 7 8 8 3 5
Eric LaFlamme 3.0 3 1 1 0 3
- Log in to post comments
0
