WALLINGFORD, PA — It hasn’t been easy for Strath Haven this season with ace Luke D’Ancona being injured for most of it, but the pitching of Rob Mattai has certainly helped.

The lefty struck out a baker’s dozen today to take down Penncrest and put the Panthers even closer to hosting a first round playoff game in the PIAA District 1 5A tournament on 5/19.

Strath Haven got their first run of the day in a bit of an unorthodox way as Penncrest starter Liam Wray balked with the bases loaded. Ben Milligan singled, Alex Selverian walked, and Luke D’Ancona had the first of three hits to load the bases.

That 1-0 lead would hold strong all the way until the bottom of the fifth thanks to strong pitching from both Mattai and Wray.

Strath Haven would get a nice insurance run (which would certainly come in handy) in the fifth. Ben Milligan singled with one out, and then later in the inning, Alex Selverian delivered a two-run single to extend the Panther lead to 2-0.

With two outs in the top of the seventh, Rob Mattai was looking for the complete game shutout, but he was met by Henry Murphy who hit a solo HR to left field to ruin that and put the tying run at the plate for Penncrest looking to rally.

Mattai was able to shake that and pick up another strikeout, his thirteenth of the day, to close out the win and put the Panthers at 9-5 on the season.

It definitely hasn’t been the ideal season for Strath Haven, who has struggled to hit at times and has missed Luke D’Ancona on the mound. Still, they are in line to make the postseason and host a playoff game. If he is able to be anything close to full strength on the mound, this team has the chance to be a sleeper heading into the district tournament.

As for Penncrest, they fall to 4-11 in the Central League. They will head to Radnor on Monday to try and spoil the Raptors’ hopes for a Central League title.