North Penn earned its spot in the district championship game with a 4-0 win over West Chester East in a semifinal game at Spring-Ford High School. Photos provided by Cindy Manero.
By Scott Huff
Royersford – It was a pair of impressive senior performances that helped North Penn punch its ticket to the PIAA District One Quad-A finals in a 4-0 victory over West Chester East in a semifinal game played at Spring-Ford High School.
Third baseman Jared Melone was awesome at the plate with a perfect 3-for-3 effort that included a titanic homerun and a blistering triple to go along with three runs batted in – while pitcher James Witner wiggled out of early inning jams to fire a three-hit – complete game – shutout.
The Knights will advance to the title game on Thursday (5/28/15) against Suburban One League opponent Council Rock North – a 10-6 winner over Owen J Roberts in its semifinal game. The game time for the district title game will be at Glen Mills High School (4 p.m.).
“Jared Melone has been our rock the last three years,” said North Penn head coach Kevin Manero. “He was an asset at first base, shortstop, and this year at third base. He was one hit short of the cycle for the second time (Melone had just three at-bats), and he has been tough to pitch around with Doug Apple hitting behind him.
“We wanted to get out to a lead early, and his homerun in the first inning helped get us that early lead,” added Manero. “And maybe what impresses me most about Jared this year is his becoming a much more vocal leader.”
“I just try to take it one at-bat at a time,” said Melone. “All I do is look for something over the plate and try to be patient and not get myself out. We have been clicking at the right time (offensively), and we all seem to be getting the barrel on the ball.”
Witner – who has been the ace of the North Penn staff all season – entered the game with just three walks all season. He issued a season-high four walks – hit a batter – and stranded nine base runners in his seven-inning shutout stint.
“Actually, James did something he hasn’t done all season – walk a couple of guys,” said Manero. “He struggled a little bit early – but I thought his last two innings were the best innings he pitched all day.
“He has a great deal of poise and never seems to let things get out of control,” continued Manero. “He always seemed to make the good pitches when he needed to get outs.”
“This is a great place to pitch – but I was just missing my spots today,” said Witner. “I didn’t have my best control – but I had trust in my defense to make the plays we needed behind me.
“It is a great feeling to be playing for a district championship,” added Witner. “I know that I won’t pitch in the championship game – but I will be in the dugout cheering the team on.”
North Penn opened the game with a two-run outburst in the first inning. Senior Mike Christy opened the home first with a scorching double – moved to third on a ground out by junior Alex Peterson – and scored on an RBI groundout off the bat of junior Mason Nadeau.
“I thought we did a great job of situational hitting today,” said Manero. “It is always good to be able to manufacture runs.”
Melone – who will play his collegiate baseball next year at La Salle University – followed the Nadeau RBI in the initial frame with a monster shot that easily cleared the 365-foot fence in left-center field.
The Knights would tack on a solo run in the third inning. With one out, Peterson singled – moved to second on an errant pick-off throw – and was safe at third when the third baseman dropped a throw that would have erased Peterson. Peterson then scored moments later as Melone served up an RBI single to right field.
North Penn would score its final run in the fifth inning. Peterson lined a double off the fence to open the inning and scored what proved to be the final run of the game as Melone crushed an RBI triple to right-center field.
Meanwhile – Witner tight roped through the first five innings. The Vikings left eight runners on base – five in scoring position – but failed to capitalize on their scoring opportunities. Witner was masterful when he needed to be and kept the potent West Chester East offense scoreless as he skillfully protected the Knight lead.
“We have been playing our best baseball right now,” said Manero. “It really doesn’t matter too much how you start the season – it matters how you finish the season.”
And North Penn will finish the PIAA District One Quad-A playoffs in the championship game.
West Chester East Vikings 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 * 0 3 3
North Penn Knights 2 0 1 0 1 0 x * 4 10 2
West Chester East: O’Donnell 4 0 0 0; Street 4 0 2 0; Springer 3 0 0 0; Hughes 2 0 1 0; Maguire 2 0 0 0; Foti 1 0 0 0; Conklin 2 0 0 0; Edwards 3 0 0 0; Shirk 2 0 0 0; Drew 1 0 0 0. Totals 24 0 3 0.
North Penn: Christy 3 1 1 0; Peterson 3 2 2 0; Nadeau 3 1 0 1; Melone 3 1 3 3; Apple 3 0 1 0; Namey 3 0 0 0; Bealer 3 0 0 0; Cameron 3 0 1 0; Marino 2 0 1 0; Kerr 1 0 0 0. Totals 27 4 10 4.West Chester East: Edwards 6 innings; 10 hits; 4 runs; 4 earned runs; 4 strikeouts; 0 walks.
North Penn: Witner 7 innings; 3 hits; 0 runs; 0 earned runs; 3 strikeouts; 4 walks; 1 hit batter.
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