(photo of TJ Valletti via @christyphotos64 on Instagram)

SPRINGFIELD, PA — On this hot May afternoon, Springfield wins their first playoff game since 2017 as they take down the defending state champion Upper Dublin Cardinals.

TJ Valletii drove in four runs on two hits to lead the Cougars. Valletti hit a home run to right field in the first inning, which scored three runs, then singled in the third inning to score one more. A single by Anthony Hammill put the Cardinals on the board 1-0 to start at the top of the first before that happened.

Valletti’s homerun gave the Cougars the lead 3-1 in the bottom of the first. Eddie Stoffel singled to center field, which helped the Cardinals tie the game up 3-3 in the top of the second. 

In the bottom of the third inning, the Cougars went back in the lead after a single down the left field line from Valletti, and Johnny Hopkins doubled down the right field line, which scored one run each bringing the game to 5-3.

Jake Lennon singled on a line drive to center field, scoring Tamiem Mosley in the fourth as well.

Nolan Dulski earned the win today for the Cougars. The lefty gave up seven hits and five runs (three earned) over six innings, recording one strikeout and one walk. Luke Caron took the loss for the Cardinals. The tall righty went 5.2 innings, giving up six runs on 11 hits, striking out four, and walking one. Drew Kraus collected the save for Springfield. 

The Cougars collected 12 hits in the game. Jake Lennon and Dylan Sheridan each collected three hits for the Cougars. Nick Corse collected two hits for them as well. 

Stoffel went 1-3 on the day and led the Cardinals with 2 RBI’s. Noah Watson led the Cardinals with two hits in three at-bats.  

The Cougars look to take this win to the next level as they play #2 Upper Moreland in the second round of the playoffs on Wednesday at Upper Moreland with a 4:00 PM first pitch.