(Picture of Strath Haven’s Zach Milligan via Shelby Kauffman/DBN)

WALLINGFORD, PA — Things may have gotten a little too close for comfort after an early 8-0 lead, but Strath Haven wins round three of the Battle of Media to advance to the District 1 5A quarterfinals.

Despite Penncrest cutting the lead to 9-7 in the sixth, the Panthers hung on to win this one 11-7. It is their sixth consecutive year winning at least one playoff game.

The Panther offense exploded out of the gate, and put five runs on the board before Penncrest could even pick up a bat.

Eli Price led off the game with a double, and then both Quinn Kell and Atticus Bean were hit by pitches to load the bases with no outs. Zach Milligan was due up and wasted no time, ripping the first pitch he saw into left field for a two-run double. The next batter, Manny Pickup, singled to drive in both Milligan and Bean, and it was 4-0 just like that.

It wouldn’t be a Strath Haven playoff game without a bunt that scored a run, and Patrick O’Connor’s safety squeeze added the fifth run on for Haven.

The Panthers knocked out Penncrest starter Henry Murphy in the first inning, and also knocked out Liam Wray after one inning thanks to a second two-run single by Manny Pickup in the second.

Quinn Kell’s double made it 8-0 in the third, but Penncrest certainly did not just roll over. Jeremy Schneider got Penncrest on the board with an RBI single in the fourth that scored Rocco Simone, and a pinch-hit double from Ben Meiser cut the deficit to 8-3.

After Manny Pickup drove in his fifth run of the day on his third hit in the top of the sixth to make it 9-3, it was time for Penncrest to storm back.

The Lions loaded up the bases with no outs after Henry Murphy walked, Jeremy Schneider singled, and Rocco Simone walked as well.

That would end the day for Patrick Burke, who threw the first five innings for Haven, and bring in Quinn Kell.

Lucas Dilenno walked with the bases loaded, and Michael Simone would ground into a fielder’s choice to make it 9-5. The real momentum shift was when Andrew Luber-Solic ripped a line drive that was misplayed in left field, allowing two runs to score on the play. The sun was brutal for both sides (and us broadcasting the game in right field) all day.

Travis McDonough then came in relief to close out the sixth, but the damage was done.

Strath Haven found the extra insurance runs they needed in the top of the seventh on an Eli Price RBI single and an Atticus Bean sac fly to hold an 11-7 lead going into the bottom of the seventh.

Penncrest threatened with the first two runners on in the seventh, but Travis McDonough retired the next three hitters including two strikeouts to wrap it up.

Price and Pickup both had three hits for Haven, while Zach Milligan had two. 

Jeremy Schneider had three of the five hits for Penncrest. Braden Davis kept Penncrest in the game as he came in and stopped the bleeding on the mound by going five innings allowing just three earned runs.

With the win, Strath Haven will head to #3 Upper Perk on Wednesday for their next game. A win will get them in the district semifinals and guarantee them another two games minimum with states playbacks.

For Penncrest, their season comes to an end at 12-8. They made huge improvements in year two with Austin Morgan as they doubled their Central League win total from 5 to 10 and clearly seem like they are headed in the right direction.