PW edged Quakertown 7-6 in a 13-inning contest on Saturday. Photos provided courtesy of Kim Supko. Check back for a gallery of photos: https://solsports.zenfolio.com/f899671345
SOL Liberty Division
PLYMOUTH WHITEMARSH 7, QUAKERTOWN 6 (13 innings)
It was a game that seemed as though it would never end.
Two teams refusing to lose were one out away from starting the 14th inning when the Colonials staged a two-out rally. Gabe Caucci lined a two-strike single to center field and – on the second pitch to Johnny Giordano – stole second. In a tough at-bat, Giordano fouled off three straight two-strike pitches and then lined a single to center that plated Caucci, bringing an end
to the four-hour marathon with the dramatic game-winner.
“Johnny's at-bat that resulted in the winning hit was outstanding,” PW coach Chris Manero said. “He battled and battled with two strikes and did a great job of staying back on a pitch and driving it up the middle.”
Saturday’s division contest was the fourth game of the week for the Colonials, something that was possible only because of their turf field.
“We came into this week with four games in six days staring us down,” Manero said. “But I guess that wasn't enough because we decided to play five.
“Looking back, to have a week in which one of your pitchers throws his second consecutive no hitter, and then two days later you win a 13-inning marathon - I'd say it was a pretty exciting few days.”
Both teams used three pitchers, and it was PW’s Jake Rauscher notching the win after allowing just one hit in two shutout 
innings while striking out three. Rauscher relieved Cooper Jones, who had a seven-inning stint on the mound, allowing four hits and two runs (both unearned) while striking out two and walking two.
“I cannot say enough about how important our bullpen was for nine innings today,” Manero said. “You don't see too many high school games where the relief pitchers combine for a full nine.
“Coop and Jake were outstanding. Inning by inning, we just couldn't get that winning run across, but those two guys got back on the mound each time and were just relentless.
“And, of course, we can't overlook the job that Chase (Olszyk) did behind the plate for us, handling three different pitchers and playing tough all day. He picked up three hits on the offensive side as well and looks so confident right now.
The Panthers also received a superb relief performance from Matt Marsten, who entered the game in the sixth inning in relief of Cooper Natisin, who started and threw five innings. In seven innings, Marsten scattered five hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out nine and walking none.
“Cooper and Marsten pitched well, and it hurts to put that much into a game and come up short,” Quakertown coach Jon Pallone said. “Got to give it to PW, every time we struck, they struck back. PW made some great plays - their right fielder, Eagland, made two diving catches to save multiple runs.
“We’re looking forward to seeing them the second time around. It’s always a great game with classy kids and coaches.”
Going back to the beginning, the Panthers scored a run without collecting a hit in the top of the first. The Colonials got that run back in the bottom of the second – also without a hit.
Quakertown’s Carver Perrone led off the top of third with a single, and back-to-back walks loaded the bases for Cole Reich, who grounded a single to left that plated Perrone for a 2-1 lead.
Quakertown upped its lead to 3-1 in the fourth when Caleb Everitt, who singled to lead off the inning, scored on an error.
“In the first four innings, we didn't play our best baseball,” Manero said. “We made some uncharacteristic defensive miscues that hurt us. At the same time, Natisin really did a nice job of holding our bats in check.
“But, Johnny (Giordano) kept us in the game with a gritty performance on the mound, and by the fifth inning, we made the necessary adjustments to get ourselves back in the game.”
In the top of the fifth, the Panthers added a pair. Reich led off the inning with a triple to center, and two outs later, Everitt was safe on an error, setting the stage for a two-run double by Marsten that put the Panthers on top 5-1.
PW scored three runs in the fifth with Chase Olszyk’s double plating two of those runs. The Colonials knotted the score with two outs in the bottom of the seventh when – with the bases loaded – Gavin Moore was hit by a pitch.
The Panthers scored a run in the top of the ninth when Dan Qualteria, who doubled with one out, scored on a successfully executed squeeze. As it turned out, the game was far from over.
The Colonials answered in the bottom of the inning when Giordano, who tripled, scored on a two-out wild pitch. That 6-6 score stood until the bottom of the 13th.
Giordano, who threw the first four innings, was 3-for-7 with a triple, RBI and run scored. Olszyk was 3-for-5 with a double and two RBIs.
“You can't play over four hours of baseball without it truly being a team effort,” Manero said. “The phrase ‘team win’ has to be the best way to describe today. Some guys had big days at the plate, some guys showed up and made every play in the field, and some guys came off the bench and proved how important it is to always stay ready.”
Leading the Panthers at the plate was Gunnar Rahn, who was 3-for-5. Reich was 2-for-7 with a triple and RBI, and Everitt was 2-for-6 with two runs scored.
“Gunnar Rahn and Caleb Everitt had a good day at the plate,” Pallone said.
The day didn’t end for either team when the 13-inning marathon ended.
“We played JV right after too,” Pallone said. “Those guys were great. We got down there early for BP, they were in the game with us the whole time. Then they played their game after and took care of business We’ve got to get back on the horse Monday against Wissahickon and get right back at it.”
Saturday was a day to remember for both sides.
“High school baseball is the best,” Manero said. “We had a great crowd, our JV teams were set to play after us thanks to a ton of cooperation from both schools, the intensity was high from the first pitch to the last, and two really good teams played one of the best baseball games you'll see.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh (7-2, 6-0 SOL) will host New Hope-Solebury on Tuesday, and Quakertown (4-3, 3-2) will host Wissahickon on Monday.
Quakertown 101 120 001 000 0 . 6-10-2
Plymouth Whitemarsh 010 030 101 000 1 7-10 -4
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