Sayre falls to Tri-Valley, 2-0.
By: The Review | Towanda Daily Review | June 8, 2017
2017 NTL and District 4 News
MANSFIELD — Mother Nature foiled Sayre and Tri-Valley's state playoff matchup on Monday.
Both teams managed to make it into the third inning on Tuesday, but weather once again thwarted their chances to finish the game, forcing it into suspension.
Finally on Wednesday, the Redskins and Bulldogs played the rest of their suspended game. Tri-Valley stifled Sayre's offense on Tuesday, and on Wednesday they continued that effort due in part to Will Kimmel's effort on the mound.
As a result, the 'Skins fell 2-0 to the 'Dawgs to be eliminated from the PIAA Class A postseason.
Following two and a half scoreless innings on Tuesday, the Redskins attempted to break the mold on Wednesday by starting with the bottom of the third inning.
James Esposito popped out to lead off, then Chris Ray walked. Matt Williams ripped a long single to right field, putting runners on the corners with one out. Things turned quick for Sayre though. Jordan Rockwell cracked an attempt at a sacrifice fly, but Tri-Valley's Dawson Boltz caught the ball in the outfield for the out and threw out Ray at home courtesy of a swift tag from catcher Peyton Poletti.
It was long shot for Sayre to grab a 1-0 lead, but Sayre coach Jon Pack felt it was a good move at the moment.
"That was a bang-bang (for Tri-Valley)," Pack said. "You got to test the arms in the outfield and see. The kid had a really good throw and catcher made a good tag. There's not much you can do at that point."
The top of the fifth became Tri-Valley's inning to crack the scoreboard. With two outs, Ike Lucas singled up the middle, then Dawson Schwalm reached base on an infield single to put runners on first and second.
Kimmel then chopped a groundball to Sayre's Connor Hanafin at third, but the ball took a wicked bounce over Connor's head. In the process of Kimmel's odd single, Lucas scored to make it 1-0 'Dawgs.
Tri-Valley tacked on some insurance in the top of the seventh. With one out, Schwalm singled then Kimmel was issued an intentional walk. Logan Yoder then delivered a single to right, scoring Schwalm to give the Bulldogs a two-run advantage.
The Redskins had their chance in the bottom of the seventh, but fell short. Quinn Hanafin led off with a chopped single through second and third base. Sam Wheeler then reached base on an error after Boltz and Lucas crashed into each other when both attempted to make the catch.
John Esposito quickly executed a sacrifice bunt, but the 'Dawgs were quicker to throw Quinn out at third and erase a runner in scoring position for Sayre.
"(Tri-Valley) made a good play defensively," Pack said. "We tried to get two runners into scoring position so a key hit could tie the game, but they made a nice play at third."
James Esposito reached on a fielder's choice to force James out at second. Ray then flew out to left to end the game.
"(Tri-Valley) had some breaks today and that happens," Pack said.
In the Redskins' key moments throughout the game, the one hit to change the outcome didn't appear.
"We just couldn't get the big hit, but that's baseball. It happens," Pack said.
Despite the loss, Sayre's defense kept them in the game and refrained Tri-Valley from adding more runs to their lead.
"We had some really good defensive plays ourselves," Pack said. "We kept our heads up, even on that bad hop to third base. I'm very proud of the way they came out to play today."
Could the loss be blamed on the weather? Could have. Did the fact that Sweet wasn't able to continue pitching the next day throw off Sayre's mentality? Possibly. However, Pack believes the trust he has for his pitching rotation.
"We knew with the pitch count rule that Sweet wouldn't be able to throw today," Pack said. "I have confidence in more than one pitcher. We're four to five pitchers deep so I would've felt good putting any of them on the mound."
Sweet gave the Redskins what they wanted, while pitchers like Rockwell and Williams did their best to close it out.
"Sweet pitched the heck out of three innings to start the game, then Jordan threw well enough, plus Matt gave us a good effort," Pack said. "That's the first time he has thrown in about two months and came in and shut them down."
Sweet threw three shutout innings, striking out two. Rockwell was handed the loss on the mound, giving up one run on six hits. Williams tossed an inning and two-thirds, giving up one run, two hits, two walks and two strikeouts.
Connor and Quinn Hanafin, along with Rockwell and Williams, all collected one hit for Sayre.
Kimmel pitched a complete game for Tri-Valley, giving up four hits and striking out two. At the plate, Kimmel went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a walk. Schwalm collected three hits and a run, while Yoder had two hits and an RBI.
Even with the early exit from states, it wasn't a season for the Redskins to hang their heads on.
"The (district title) was something we were looking to accomplish for the past seven years and thankfully we did that," Pack said. "Overall, a 17-6 record and a district title made for a successful season."
