ASTON, PA- Sun Valley finally gets that elusive first win of the season after an 0-11 start.
Despite a late Unionville rally in the sixth and seventh innings, Sun Valley hung on to grab that first win of the season, that’s gotta feel great for the players.
Jackson Messick took the mound for Sun Valley, and after a leadoff walk, picked off the runner at first and followed that with back-to-back punch outs to wrap up the top half of the first.
In the bottom of the second, Jackson and Ryan Messick singled as the first two batters of the inning. A sacrifice bunt by Logan Howe put both men in scoring position. The first run of the game came off of a balk, which scored Jackson Messick. Danny Digan then flew out to center to drive in Ryan Messick. It was 2-0 Vanguards after two.
Jackson Messick went right back to work in the top of the third, getting two quick outs, and then escaping a two men on situation for a much needed shutdown inning.
Max Bartholf led off the bottom of the third with a base hit back up the middle. Unionville managed to get two quick outs after that, but Ryan Messick doubled right after to drive in Bartholf. Howe then drove in the man on second to give the Vanguards a 4-0 lead after three.
In the top of the fourth, Unionville managed to cut into the deficit after a single from Indy Riggs drove in a run. 4-1.
The Vanguards had a two out rally in the bottom of the fourth. Daniel Miller doubled, who was then driven in by Bartholf on an error. Sabo Graham then drove in Bartholf on an error, and advanced to second on the play. Jackson Messick then drove in Graham on a base hit to give Sun Valley a commanding 7-1 lead.
Jackson Messick wrapped up his day, going five strong innings, three hits, one unearned run, and 12 punch outs. He was credited with the win.
In the top of the sixth, Unionville threatened with the bases loaded, and drove in a run on a walk from Colin Albert.
Andrew Palahunik came into the game in the bottom of the sixth, and managed to throw two scoreless innings to help Unionville stay in the game.
In the top of the seventh is where things got really dicey.
After the first two batters reached on a hit by pitch and an error, Braden Pomponi drove in a run with one out in the inning, as the Longhorns started to threaten. With two outs in the inning, Riggs drove in his second and third runs of the day, making it 7-5 with Sun Valley still leading. But, that rally was put to sleep, as Logan Coleman was able to set down the final batter on a lineout to center.
Unionville falls to 4-8 in the Ches-Mont and will face Downingtown West (4-8 in CM) on Monday at home at 4:00.
Sun Valley grabs their first win and Ches-Mont win (1-11) and will play West Chester East (7-5 in CM) on Monday away at 4:00.