The Hatters improved to 2-1 in SOL American play and 2-3 overall with a 6-2 extra inning win at Upper Moreland on Wednesday.

Pitching was the story for both teams as the offense was minimal. Upper Moreland scored first off HH’s sophomore starter Eric Thron in the second inning. Thron retired the first two hitters with a strikeout and a walk before UM DH Tyler Arnold reached on an error. After a single by RF Connor O’Donnell, LF Thomas Longstreth knocked in Arnold with a single to give UM a 1-0 lead. The single by Longstreth was the only hit that Thron would allow in his 5+ innings of work during which he struck out 4 and walked 2.

The Hatters got on the board in the top of the 6th inning. Sophomore 1B Anthony Bruno led off the inning with a hard ground ball single into left field. Pinch runner Ryley Robinson advanced to second when sophomore LF Benny Wilson walked. Robinson scored on an error when Josh Heebner hit into a fielder’s choice and the attempted throw to first for a double play was thrown away. That tied the game at 1-1.

The Golden Bears threatened in the bottom of the 6th inning when SS Dawson Ruggles reached on an error and 1B Kevin Davis was hit by a pitch to set up first and second with nobody out. Wilson replaced Thron on the mound and the first batter was retired when he stepped on the plate while attempting a bunt. Wilson followed that with two strikeouts to keep the score tied at 1-1.

UM’s Colin Bates was tremendous on the mound all day. He pitched into the 9th inning while only throwing 97 pitches and allowing just 4 hits and 3 walks while striking out 5.

The Hatters broke the game open in the top of the 9th inning. Junior 2B Josh Heebner led off the inning by getting hit by a pitch. Sophomore SS Jake Bianchini then singled to left field. At that point, Connor O’Donnell relieved Bates. Senior CF Jake Mayson laid down a sacrifice bunt that ended up being misplayed and that scored Heebner and advanced Bianchini to third base. Bianchini scored on a double steal. After a walk to senior RF Shane Carpenter , senior C Matt Johnson laid down a bunt that was misplayed and loaded the bases for the Hatters. Senior Kevin Waeltz worked a walk to score Mayson and give the Hatters a 4-1 lead. Drew Margerum then knocked in Carpenter with a fielder’s choice error. Bruno then scored freshmen courtesy runner Jimmy Tooley with a ground out to second base to give the Hatters a 6-1 lead.

The Golden Bears showed some fight in the bottom of the 9th inning when O’Donnell scored on a triple by Longstreth. However, Wilson closed out the frame to preserve the Hatters 6-2 win.

The Hatters (2-3 Overall, 2-1 SOL American) will host former HH coach Andy Noga and the Wissahickon Trojans on Thursday afternoon at 3:45 PM. This will be the Hatters 4thleague game in 4 days.

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