PENNSBURG, PA — Upper Perk swung the bats from start to finish in this one.
In this matchup for the semifinals of the District 1 5A Playoffs between the Springfield Cougars and the Upper Perk Indians, the Cougars had trouble keeping up.
The Cougars opened up the scoring when TJ Valletti hit a single to score a run in the top of the first.
Upper Perk gained the lead after an error by the Cougars, and Lincoln Fijalkowski flew out, each scoring one run making it a 2-1 game.
The Indians added another run in the second after Jordin Dice singled to the left side.
TJ Valletti delivered again in the top of the second for Springfield when he singled to center, which helped the Cougars tie it up at three in the top of the third.
In the bottom of the third, the Indians broke up the tie game when a error scored a run then a double play followed to extend the Upper Perk lead to 5-3. They would really pull away from this one with three in the bottom of the fourth, and added two more late in the sixth.
Lincoln Fijalkowski earned the win for the Indians. The righty gave up three runs (two earned) on two hits over five innings. He struck out seven and walked four. TJ Valletti took the loss in this one allowing two runs (one earned) on two hits in one inning. He struck out none and walked none. Drew Kraus started the game for the Cougars allowing three hits and three runs (one earned) in two innings. He struck out one and walked none.
Landan Ragan, Denny Monstra and Nick Russo all pitched in relief for Springfield. Jake Lennon and Jake Lehman added hits.
Ben Sands and Ben Godshall both had two hits each for Upper Perk.
Springfield’s season is not over, as they enter the playbacks round of the state tournament. The PIAA takes three teams to the state tournament, so the third place game means a lot here. Springfield will play the loser of Saturday’s WC East vs WC Rustin game on Tuesday. If it is against Rustin it will be at Rustin on Tuesday at 4, if it is against WC East it would be at Springfield on Tuesday at 4.
The Upper Perk Indians advance and look to win the district championship as they play at Villanova Ballpark in Plymouth Meeting on Tuesday, May 26th. They will play the winner of that WC East/WC Rustin game and have already clinched their spot in states.