WALLINGFORD, PA- On a day with only a few games, this one was certainly exciting, as there was a short-lived upset watch.
After dropping back to back games in Central League play to fall to 5-3 in the Central League, Strath Haven got right back on track in a comeback win.
Strath Haven took the field on a cloudy Monday afternoon, likely not thinking this game would need a comeback for them. But Upper Darby fought hard today, keeping it competitive.
Jasper Hals got the nod to start for Strath Haven, and set down Upper Darby in four batters.
Pat Callahan started for Upper Darby, and just like Hals, set them down in four batters.
In the bottom of the second, Atticus Bean put Strath Haven on top, driving in Caden Shuster on a single to give the Panthers an early 1-0 lead.
Hals shutout Upper Darby up until the fourth inning, where Upper Darby hung up some runs to put the game on an upset watch.
After getting one out, Upper Darby managed to load the bases, setting up Justin Butler. Butler didn’t just drive in a run, he drove in four, as he hit a go-ahead grand slam to put Upper Darby up 4-1.
In the bottom of the fourth, Bean responded with a homer of his own to dead center to cut into the deficit, and nab his second RBI of the day. 4-2 Darby after four.
Unfortunately for the Royals the upset watch was short lived, as Strath Haven came back and tied the game in the fifth, thanks to RBI’s from Alex Selverian and Luke D’Ancona.
After taking over in the top of the fifth, Caden Shuster managed to shut down Upper Darby’s offense for the final three innings, setting up the Panthers offense to tack on some more. In the bottom of the sixth, Matt Caputo drove in two on an error on Upper Darby’s side, followed by Ben Milligan driving in Caputo on a single.
D’Ancona drove in his second and third runs of the day to put Strath Haven up 8-4 heading into the final inning.
After things got a little dicey in the top of the seventh with Upper Darby managing to get two men on with one out, Shuster struck out the final two batters to get Strath Haven back on track.
Upper Darby still seeks their first win in Central League play, sitting at 0-8 in the CL. They will face off against Radnor (7-1 in CL) on Wednesday at home at 3:45
Strath Haven gets back on track, moving up to 6-3 in the CL. They will play away at Haverford High School (8-0 in CL) on Wednesday at 3:45 for what should be a good matchup between two Central League powerhouses, with the two-time defending champion Panthers taking on the new kids on the block in the Fords.