SPRINGFIELD, PA- And then there were two. In a battle of the two remaining Central League teams without a win, someone had to win.
The final score may have only been 3-1, and a low scoring game was pretty likely in this one, but pitching is really what mattered today.
In a battle of pitchers, Denny Monastra and Pat Callahan both had days that both respective teams should be proud of. For Springfield, Monastra cruised through six, striking out six, but most importantly, only allowed one run to score on five hits by the Royals.
This would be key in such a low scoring game. But on the other side, Upper Darby had Pat Callahan controlling the mound, Callahan took the Royals five deep, striking out seven, and held the Cougars to just three runs on seven hits.
With solid pitchers on the mound, scoring didn’t come easily, but ultimately that’s how games are won. At the end of the day, Springfield would ultimately get the first and last word, but it didn’t come easy. Springfield would score a lone run in the bottom of the second after a single by Danny Meakim brought home John Hopkins, Springfield would lead 1-0.
Without a response from Upper Darby in their half of the inning, the Panthers would strike once more to make this one 2-0 after Patrick O’Neill hit a sacrifice bunt, scoring Landon Ragan.
Don’t count out Upper Darby quite yet though… after a 2-2 count, Jack Trask would single, bringing home Tim Ramirez, bringing the score to 2-1.
Unfortunately, though, that would be the end of the Royals comeback, and the Cougars would rack up one more in the fifth after a monster of a triple by Sean O’Reilly scored Tanner Coll. The Cougars sneak away with this one, 3-1.
Landon Ragan went 2/3 on the day scoring a run, and Sean O’Reilly went 1/3 with and RBI and a triple to push Springfield over Upper Darby.
Upper Darby (0-6) stays on the search of their first win, and they will host Marple Newtown (3-3) next Monday at 3:45 in hopes to reach the win column.
Springfield (1-5) will take their first win to the #1 Haverford Fords (6-0) on Monday at 3:45.