Upper Moreland advanced to Monday’s PIAA Class AAA semifinal game with Saturday’s thrilling 4-3 win in 10 innings over Punxsutawney.
By Scott Huff
SCOTLAND – Upper Moreland knows the script extremely well as the Golden Bears won their second consecutive 4-3 walk-off PIAA Class AAA State Baseball playoff game. The Purple & Gold advanced to the state semifinal game with that 4-3 walk-off victory in 10 innings against District 9 champion Punxsutawney Saturday afternoon – the Bears walked off to a win by that identical score against District 3 champion Greencastle-Atrim in their opening round state playoff contest.
“To be able to win both games like that is incredible,” said Upper Moreland head coach Ernie Rehr. “The way that we won the games was different, but both games were extremely exciting. To win a game with a walk-off is great, but to win two in a row like that is amazing.”
In the win over Punxsutawney, the Golden Bears led 3-0 early only to have the Chucks (that’s right the Chucks) come back to knot the score at 3-3 in the sixth inning. Rehr went to pitcher Eddie Decker with runners of first and third and no outs – and Decker miraculously pitched his way out of the jam with no more scoring. Decker would then go on to throw four more shutout innings in the seventh, eighth, ninth, and tenth to secure the win.
“Eddie did what he did all season – pitch to contact,” said Rehr. “The pivotal part of the game was when we was able to battle through that sixth inning and keep the game tied. He was really stingy the rest of the way, and he only had one inning where they got a couple of runners on base.”
Decker – who threw a complete game in the Golden Bears 4-3 win in the opening round of states – had never thrown that many innings of relief in his high school career.
“I think the most I ever pitched in relief was two innings,” said Decker. “I just tried to stay focused, and I didn’t think too much about anything else. I wanted to make every pitch count.”
Upper Moreland – which won a coin flip to become the home team – scored the winning run in the bottom of the tenth inning. The Bears had scored a single run in the first inning and scored a pair of runs in the fourth inning to forge a 3-0 lead.
Catcher Pat Driscoll opened the 10th inning with a single and was pinch run for by junior Matt Greever. After a failed sacrifice bunt, Greever promptly stole second base and would score the game-winner o
n an RBI single by Mike Cavanaugh.
And the party around home plate began.
“Between both Mike and Pat, they were on base eight times today,” said Rehr. “Rob Knox had a double and a triple – but they were our only extra base hits.
“We brought Matt Greever up to the varsity for the playoffs to do what he did to win the game,” continued Rehr. “Matt is a very smart base runner – he was our junior varsity captain – and he did a great job on the bases.”
Upper Moreland will have to complete a major turnaround as the Golden Bears will play again on Monday (6/10/13) in the semifinals – just two days after the win over Punxsutawney (6/8/13). Upper Moreland used starter Charlie Hooker for the first five innings of this game – and Decker threw the final five innings. Decker has pitched 12 innings so far in the state playoffs.
“It puts us in an awkward position,” admitted Rehr. “I have to put in a call to the PIAA to see where we stand as far as pitchers we can use on Monday. But whoever we throw, I will have complete confidence in that pitcher.”
Upper Moreland will have to make the 2-½ hour trek back to Scotland to face District 7 opponent Keystone Oaks. The Golden Eagles finished third in District 7 but has come up with impressive wins over both District 10 champion Slippery Rock (4-0) and District 7 champion South Park (3-0). Keystone Oaks is based in Pittsburgh and will have the same length commute to Green Township Park.
“The facility is great – top notch,” said Rehr. “We’re not too thrilled about having to get back on a bus for that long, though.”
“I have my phone and my music, and I get to sleep some,” said Decker. “And as long as we win, the ride isn’t that bad.”
Upper Moreland will surely take another 4-3 walk off victory - the Golden Bears have that celebration down pat.
Purple & Gold Facts- Cavanaugh finished the game with 4 hits in addition to his game-winning RBI… Knox had a single to go with his double and triple…Driscoll had three hits and an RBI…Decker won his second playoff game with a 5-inning performance allowing just 3 hits, walking 0, and striking out 3.
Punxstawney Chucks 000 003 000 0 - 3
Upper Moreland Golden Bears 100 200 000 1 - 4
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