Solanco's baseball team is still in the mix for a league playoff berth. The Mules won two of three games last week including a big victory vs. Hempfield. Friday night, Solanco lost 6-3 at Section Two leaders Ephrata.
Trailing 1-0, the Mules took the lead with three runs in the second inning on the strength of three hard-hit doubles. Coming into the game, Solanco had just six extra-base hits on the season. They had three in a span of four batters Friday night. Colin Ewaka got things started and Brady Thomas and Dawson Goté each had an RBI double. Goté scored on a ground out by Joel McGuire. Ephrata scored four runs in the fourth to take command. "They do a nice job of battling," Solanco coach Tom Fish said. "They foul off a lot of tough two-strike pitches. They only had four hits, but they were clutch hits and they drew some walks. They foul off the tough two-strike pitches until you make a mistake over the plate or you walk them." Last Wednesday, the Mules defeated McCaskey 7-6. Hayden Fox earned the win. McCaskey jumped on top with two runs in the top of the first. "Hayden survived a shaky start and managed to limit the damage," Fish said. "The thing I was most proud of was how the team came right back with four runs in the bottom of the first." With the game tied 5-5 in the fifth, Bailey Keys belted a two-out, two-run triple to right. McCaskey almost got within a run in the sixth, but a perfectly-executed relay from Goté to Mike Worthington to the catcher Keys cut down a run at the plate. "It was a pretty remarkable play," Fish said. "Bailey made the pick on a one-hop throw and made a great tag. It looked for sure like they were going to score a run." Joe Murray earned a save. He got the final out on a popup with the bases loaded. "It was an exciting finish," said Fish. "Sometimes after a big win like the one over Hempfield, your next opponent gets you." Fox finished with nine strikeouts. "He did a nice job," said Fish. "The [coaching] staff keeps getting more confidence in him. He pitches his best when there are runners on." On Monday, April 25, the Mules nipped Hempfield, 3-2. Solanco scored all three of its runs in the second inning. Keys got it going with a hit and Brady Thomas had a bunt hit. After Derek Lavin drew a walk, Goté delivered a two-run single to left put the Mules in front 2-1. Lavin scored when a fly ball off the bat of Tony Osborne was dropped by the right fielder. Ewaka got his first start and responded with a complete game. "I had a feeling Colin would give us a chance to win the game," said Fish. "He was really, really good. He kept the ball down and if we play good defense behind him, he's going to have a good day." Hempfield had two on with one out in the fourth when the third baseman Lavin made a great diving grab on a hard hit ball down the line and fired to first to double off the runner. "It was a big league play," Fish said. The shortstop Thomas made several nice plays and started a double play with Osborne making a pick at first base. "Our infield defense helped us hold on to that one," said Fish. "The reality of this season is when our infield defense plays well we end up having a good ballgame." The Mules remembered what happened vs. Hempfield two years ago. The Black Knights won both the varsity and JV games 15-0 in three innings. "Most of the players on our team were playing in one of those games two years ago," said Fish. "They left that game with their tails between their legs. It was neat to see them pull out a win this year. The guys had fun and the coaches had fun. Facing a team with the best record in the district with their best pitcher going was awesome." Comments are closed.
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