NEWTOWN SQ, PA- This game had no shortage of excitement in what might be the game of the year so far this season.
Penncrest and Marple Newtown clashed Wednesday afternoon in a thriller that ended in walk-off fashion.
The game started relatively slow, with Penncrest taking a 1-0 lead in the top of the first thanks to a triple from Travis Younger.
The game was a pitcher’s duel until the fourth inning, where Marple started a rally to take the lead. The first three batters reached on a dropped third strike, hit by pitch, and a walk. With one out, Aidan Liberty walked to tie the game 1-1 with still only one out, and the bases loaded.
Marple Newtown Head Coach Toby MacCart called on Sal Brady to pinch hit, and he delivered as he drove in two to give Marple a 3-1 lead. Mike Murray then singled to make it 4-1 Marple.
Penncrest chipped into the deficit with a single from Harry Giles to make it 4-2. Penncrest pitching stepped up in the fifth and sixth, holding Marple scoreless and retiring six straight batters. Penncrest made it a one run game with Landon Graham scoring on a wild pitch, making it 4-3 after five and a half. Penncrest set down Marple 1-2-3 in the bottom of the sixth, and in the top of the seventh, Penncrest fought to get back into the game.
Henry Murphy walked to start the inning, then the next two batters struck out, leaving Penncrest’s chances at coming back grim. But Cooper Bittle wasn’t going down without a fight, as he ripped a double to dead center field to bring in the tying run. All knotted up 4-4. Asher Wynne then singled, giving Penncrest a 5-4 lead. Penncrest went into the bottom of the seventh just needing three outs to secure a win.
Marple Newtown needed one to tie, and two to win. The inning started with a double from another pinch-hitter in Kevin Agger, then Aiden Doney bunted into a fielders choice, where he reached and advanced the runner. Doney then swiped second, putting the winning run in scoring position. Jackson Burger then walked. Bases loaded, zero outs against Penncrest closer Michael Schade.
Marple got two outs on back-to-back fielders choices, and it looked like Schade might pull a houdini act and escape. Bases loaded, two outs. This is what most kids dream of, stepping up with two outs and the bases loaded, the games decision in the palm of their hand.
Grogan swung at a ball, which ended up as a wild pitch, scoring Burger, who was a bit shaken up on the play but it was well worth it. Tie game, 5-5.
On an 0-1 count, runners on third and second, and Sean Grogan took advantage of a heater, ripping it for a single to left field, driving in Jack Maholick to win the game 6-5. Marple gets a huge win, moving them up in the Central League.
With all the excitement, it can be hard to overlook the pitchers, but Jack Maholick was great for Marple. He went five strong innings of two run baseball, allowing seven base runners, and striking out six. Jake Gorman was credited with the win.
On the Penncrest side, Henry Murphy allowed three runs in 3.1 innings of work and Connor Finan had two shutout innings of relief.
Penncrest moves to 1-2 in the Central League and will face Strath Haven (2-1 in CL) at home on Monday, March 31 at 3:45.
Marple Newtown improves to 2-1 in the Central League and will face Bonner on Saturday at home in a non-conference game at 12:00.