Recap

Township put up 4 runs in the bottom of the 7th, but unfortunately still came up short in their first meeting with the Section 1 leading Cedar Crest Falcons. Those 4 runs came off the bat of Brenden Moshos and traveled just over the right field fence with the bases loaded and 2 outs for the Blue Streaks. The grand slam didn’t end up mattering in the end because Township still trailed by 2 runs and couldn’t get any other run production in the final frame.

Cedar Crest started off the game like multiple Township opponents this season – getting out to an early lead. The Falcons struck for 3 early runs to take a 3-0 lead off of starting pitcher, Colin Yablonski. Township was able to respond with a run of their own as Rece Bender, Nick Kurtz, and Ethan Kile each singled in their first ABs. Kile drove in Bender from 2nd base on a single up the middle to minimize Cedar Crest’s lead 3-1. Township loaded the bases with no outs after that, but couldn’t bring any more runs across the plate in the 1st inning. Cedar Crest chased C. Yablonski after picking up another run in the 2nd inning to take a 4-1 lead.

Township bats were quiet until the bottom of the 3rd inning when Kile singled and was moved to 3rd on a C. Yablonski double. With 1 out, Tom Cesarone reached base on a Cedar Crest error and Kile scored on the play. Moshos drove in C. Yablonski from 3rd on a ground out to pull Township even closer 4-3. Ben DeMarco took the mound in relief for Manheim Township and shut down Cedar Crest through the 4th and 5th innings. The score remained 4-3 Cedar Crest until the Falcons tagged Township for 5 runs in the top of the 6th inning. Will Greiner took the mound to record the final two outs for the Streaks in the top of the 6th inning.

The Blue Streaks’ bats showed up again in the bottom of the 7th after Jordan Yablonski retired Cedar Crest in the top half of the inning. Bender and Kurtz reached base on a walk and double respectively and C. Yablonski loaded the bases thanks to a pitch inside that hit him. With 2 outs, Moshos stepped up and launched a fly ball over the fence to try and give life to the Township offense. Trailing only 9-7, the final batter was retired for the Blue Streaks and the comeback was off.