5-run lead just big enough for Blue Streaks to claim win over Comets

Following a 5-day layoff, the Manheim Township Blue Streaks were back on the field Monday afternoon at Penn Manor to face the Comets. The Blue Streaks entered the day with a record of 6-4 and the Comets at just 3-6.

A pair of singles for Jacob Carrasco and Alex Derderian to lead off the 1st inning put the Blue Streaks in business early. A double steal put both runners in scoring position for a Braden Leed ground out to plate the first run. A SAC bunt from Jack Kenneff also plated Derderian to make it 2-0. Before the 1st inning was up, Alex Miller and Angelo Billiard both reached base safely on singles and scored on a Lincoln Stoltzfus double to left field.

Carrying a 4-0 lead into his first inning on the mound today, Tyler Shirk worked an efficient half inning – needing only 13 pitches to retire the Comets and hold the lead. Scoreless half innings for both teams in the 2nd sent the 4-0 MT lead into the 3rd.

Kenneff walked with no outs and scampered down to second base on a 1-out grounder from Billiard. A fielder’s choice replaced Kenneff with Billiard at second and an RBI bloop single to center field from Connor Delvecchio put Township up 5-0 through two and a half innings. An eventful bottom of the 3rd saw Penn Manor rope a trio of hits into play and plate three runs in the process.

Now with a smaller 5-3 lead, the top three of the Blue Streaks’ lineup were set down in order to start the 4th. The Comets loaded the bases on Shirk in the bottom of the 4th, but an incredible diving catch in foul territory down the left field line from Derderian and an infield pop up to Kenneff saved Township from surrendering any more runs.

Township’s last hit on the afternoon came on a Billiard single in the top of the 5th as the Comets’ starter Hanna went the distance for a complete game on 99 pitches. Miller, who had entered to pitch in the 5th inning for Township, found some trouble in the bottom of the 6th as Penn Manor loaded the bases again. A walk and two HBP didn’t hurt the lefty though as a routine 4-3 groundout ended the 6th inning. Miller worked a lengthy 1-2-3 top of the 7th to seal the 7th win of the season for the Blue Streaks, 5-3.

The holiday-shortened week will conclude on Wednesday afternoon at home as Cedar Crest comes to town for their first meeting of the season. First pitch 4:15 PM.