By Scott Huff
The movie critics might have to present Upper Merion with an Academy Award as the Vikings continue their run through the PIAA Class AAA playoffs.
“We won this game in dramatic fashion,” said Upper Merion coach Jason Darnell after the Vikings sailed by Upper Perkiomen 5-4 in eight innings at Hatboro-Horsham High School on Thursday. “We put ourselves in a hole early with some errors that led to unearned runs, but the players recovered, and we came back to win the game.”
Upper Perkiomen – who defeated Upper Moreland 11-5 in a first round Class AAA contest – took a 4-0 lead after three innings. The Tribe would be held scoreless for the remainder of the game.
“After the third inning, I brought the kids together and told them we can either go out and play the way we know how, or we can let them kick us around,” said Darnell. “It was great to see how they responded. They didn’t press – they were so relaxed – and we made some great plays to win the game.”
Upper Merion scored a single run in the fourth inning and a pair of runs in the fifth inning to close to within 4-3. And then the highlight reel plays began to be seen.
The drama began when Matt Shannon scored the tying run in the top of the seventh inning on an RBI single by Chris Baker to knot the score at 4-4.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, the defensive play of the game saved the Vikings’ season. With two outs, Upper Perkiomen had runners on first and second and roped a single to center.
Shannon charged the hit – came up firing – and rifled a perfect strike to Viking catcher James O’Toole for the final out of the inning.
“That was one exciting play,” said Darnell. “Matt made a perfect throw – it was a great play.”
The seventh inning marked the end of the day for Viking starter Greg McCuch. McCuch struck out six but also walked seven and hit a batter.
“Greg was wild – but a good wild,” said Darnell. “He kept them off balance the whole game.”
Upper Merion scored what proved to be the winning run in the top of the eighth inning.
With two outs, Ryan Dolga worked a walk and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Darnell inserted Joe Bry in to run for Dolga, and Bry scored on a single by – who else – Shannon for the lead run.
Ben Dworecki came in for the Vikings in relief and got an out – yielded a double – and got a second out. With the game on the line, Upper Perkiomen singled to center. Shannon came up throwing, and the third base coach decided not to test his arm and held the runner.
“There is no doubt that he would have sent that runner if Matt hadn’t thrown the kid out the inning before,” said Darnell. “Even so, we had to get another out.”
And Dworecki got it as he struck out the next hitter – swinging.
Upper Merion will advance to the District One Finals against Kennett – an 8-3 winner over Holy Ghost Prep - on Wednesday. Only the district champion advances to the state tournament.
“We caught a break with the game being switched to Wednesday from Tuesday,” said Darnell. “Our juniors are going to Disney World and won’t be home until Tuesday night. I just hope they are rested and not tired on Wednesday.”
And that junior class included Dolga, Dworecki, and the star of the Upper Perkiomen win – Matt Shannon.
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