To view photos of the CR North/Owen J. Roberts game, visit the Photo Gallery later this weekend.
By Scott Huff
Council Rock North 4 – Owen J Roberts 3
The most impressive aspect of Council Rock North is usually centered on its blue chip pitching staff.
Indian aces Darren Lauer, Pat O’Leary, and Jake Drossner are the scholastic equivalent of Phillie aces Roy Halliday, Cliff Lee, and Roy Oswalt on the professional level.
However, Rock North needed some timely hitting and superb defense to support a rare mediocre pitching performance as the Indians advanced to the PIAA District One semifinals with a 4-3 win over Owen J Roberts.
“Our pitchers really didn’t get into a good rhythm,” said Council Rock North head coach Matt Schram. “We walked seven hitters and hit a batter – and that isn’t us. We didn’t have our ‘A’ game on the mound, but we did all the little things well – like moving runners and hitting in the clutch.”
Council Rock North exploded for three runs in the first inning to grab a lead it would never relinquish.
The first RBI of the game came off the bat of Dan Denton, and with the bases loaded and two outs, Mike Tentilucci delivered a clutch two-out single to score the second and third runs of the inning. The Indians also benefitted from a pair of walks in the frame.
The Wildcats got on the scoreboard in the third, but the Indians answered with a run in the bottom of the inning, taking a 4-1 lead on a sacrifice fly by David Pine. The Wildcats made it a 4-3 game in the fifth.
In the seventh, the Wildcats put a pair of runners on board with two outs, but the Indians escaped unscathed as O'Leary - who entered the game in relief in the third - coaxed a pop-up out 
of the next batter he faced and then came up with a strikeout for the game's final out.
of the next batter he faced and then came up with a strikeout for the game's final out.“To score one run is good, but to score three runs gave us some positive momentum,” said Schram of his team's three-run first inning. “We didn’t hit a whole lot later in the game, but we were able to make huge defensive plays when we needed them.
“They scored two runs in the fifth inning, but we were able to turn a 5-4-3 double play to get out of that inning with the lead,” added Schram. “And we were able to make that lead hold up for the rest of the game.
“Now we go on to play an excellent Spring-Ford team in the semifinals,” continued Schram. “They have a power pitcher (Mike Oczypok) that is 8-0 with an ERA less than 1.00. He is going to be well rested and will challenge us with the fastball - we have to be able to meet that challenge."
As a result of Friday's win, the Indians have ensured themselves a berth in the state tournament.
Owen J Roberts Wildcats 001 020 0 - 3 5 2
CR North Indians 300 100 x - 4 5 1
+++++++
Spring-Ford Rams 200 202 0 - 6 13 4
West Chester East Patriots 000 001 2 - 3 6 0
Golden Hawks Fit To Be Tied
Council Rock South made the arduous one and one-half hour bus ride to Marple Newtown for its PIAA District One quarterfinal game and didn’t come back a winner – or a loser – as the game was halted after 13 innings with the score knotted at 6-6.
The game will be concluded Saturday with an 11 am start.
“The umpires made the call that we weren’t going to start another inning due to darkness,” said Council Rock South head coach Greg Young. “It was one crazy game – one great high school game. Both teams played out of their minds.”
The game was tied 5-5 after regulation – and the Hawks took a 6-5 lead in the 11th inning on a homerun by Jeff Miller. But Marple Newtown tied the score in their half of the 11th inning on a sacrifice fly with one out to continue play.
CR South has pitched Ryan Fleming, Miller, Brian Donnelly, and Ryan Downs thus far in the game. Downs – who threw a shutout 12th and 13th inning – will get the ball for the Hawks when the game is resumed.
“We got off the bus at 8 pm, we will be back on the bus at 8:30 am,” said Young. “It would be great to end the game quick and drive back home with a win.”
If the Golden Hawks come up with that win, they would face Conestoga on Tuesday (5/31/11), and if the Hawks were to lose, they would face Methacton in a playback game – also on Tuesday.
Methacton Warriors 010 011 1 - 4 6 1
Conestoga Pioneers 011 200 1 - 5 9 1
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