DREXEL HILL, PA- Lower Merion had one goal today, and that was to win on the road at Upper Darby. And let’s just say, they probably scored enough runs in this one to beat them twice.
The Aces took control early, with a strong first inning that saw Brendan O’Gara triple to right field, scoring both Gus Wright and Brody Slensky, to give Lower Merion a 3-0 lead.
Upper Darby starting pitcher, Austin Campbell, however, would stop the Aces from driving in any more runs (at least for this inning).
Unfortunately for the Royals, it was just going to get worse from here.
The very next inning, Gus Wright doubled to center field, bringing in two more runs bringing the score to 5-0 in just the second inning. (uh oh.)
At this point, Campbell’s day was over with just two innings pitched, striking out three, but allowing five runs. To take over was Justin Butler.
The Royals scored their only run in the bottom of the third with a Justin Butler single making the score 5-1.
New pitcher, comeback time? The third inning was smooth for Butler besides for a leadoff triple by Calvin Rendle, but he would force the Aces to go down in order, leaving Rendle stranded at third.
But the fourth inning was let’s just say, not as kind to Butler. In an effort by the entire team, the Aces would come up with six runs by the time this inning came to a close. Ryan Scholz would get the first piece with a single as the result of an error, Gus Wright would be walked, and Brody Slensky would hit a single, and suddenly its bases loaded and no outs. (UH OH).
With the way this game was going, it was clear the damage wasn’t done. With a walk by O’Gara, this was game was 6-1.
But then there was Calvin Rendle. After being stranded after his first triple in third, Rendle was determined to knock the runs in once and for all. So uh, he did. With the bases loaded, Rendle hit another triple, bringing this one to a dominating 9-1.
But is it fair to leave the guy who went 2/3 with two triples stranded again? No. So, in came Charlie Parsons with a double bringing home Rendle and with an additional an error at home, Parsons crossed the plate, making the score 11-1.
This game would only go five innings due to the number of runs tacked on, but the Aces would tack on three more to finish off the game right. At this point, Upper Darby had a new pitcher in, but Lower Merion didn’t seem to notice, and kept pushing on. Brody Slensky would double to get it all started, once more and Roman would walk, leaving room for a single by Calvin Rendle to drive Slensky home after an error.
In the final punch by the Aces, Dragut singled on a hard ground ball scoring the final two runners leaving this game at a 14-1 finish.
Although not really talked about today with all the runs scored, Lower Merion pitching was incredibly consistent only allowing four hits on the day. Led by starter Will Cohen taking the Aces three innings, allowing UD’s only run, and striking out five. After three, Justin Heck pitched the fourth, allowing just two hits, and closer Ryan Scholz got the job done, helping the Aces improve to 3-1 on the season.
The Aces (3-1) will face Garnet Valley (2-1) away on Wednesday afternoon at 3:45 in what should be a highly competitive central league matchup.
The Royals (0-4) will face Conestoga (0-4) at home on Wednesday afternoon at 3:45 in a big game with both teams chasing their first win of the season.