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Subscribe to our NewsletterTuesday, April 19th, 2016 WIN vs Newsome (1st round Districts)
Tuesday April 19th
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WP - Degnan
Facing the #1 seed, PHU traveled to Newsome to face off in their “win or go home” district game. With an early two run home run by Senior John Pichman; stellar pitching, hitting and base-running by Senior Riley Degnan and clutch hitting by Senior Adam Jurco, the Canes came away with an “edge of your seat” 5-3 victory over Newsome to move on in districts.
Degnan started the game as was dialed in from the first pitch. The lefty worked ahead often and continued to mix his pitches to let PHU’s solid defense do their job. Degnan tossed six full innings to earn the win allowing only one earned run, three strikeouts while scattering five hits in his impressive 70 pitch outing. Senior Brian Brown was called from the pen for the 7th inning as the tall hard throwing right hander retired the side 1-2-3 for the twelve pitch save.
Offensively, Palm Harbor only managed seven hits, but made the most of them when it counted. With two outs, The Canes got ahead early in the first inning when Senior Adam Jurco (1-3, RBI, double, 2 runs scored) is walked. Senior John Pichman (3-4, 3 RBI’s, 2 runs scored, HR), after fouling a few off with a 1-2 count, unloads on a hanging curveball that sails over the left field fence for a two run round-tripper and a Canes 2-0 lead.
With Degnan only allowing one baserunner to second base in the first four innings, Newsome put a pair of runs on the board in the 5th inning resulting from a few uncharacteristic PHU errors to tie the game up at two. Palm Harbor once again took the lead as the Canes scored one in the top half of the sixth as Pichman leads off with a sharp single. Sophomore Ryan Laheney is walked advancing Pichman to second. Freshman Mitch Farris comes into run for Laheney. With a great read, Pichman then advances to third on a passed ball that scooted toward the right side of the diamond not allowing Farris to further advance. With a quality at bat, Senior Dan Hollander (RBI, two walks, fielder’s choice) battles at the plate knocking off numerous foul balls after an 0-2 count. Hollander grounds deep in the hole at shortstop forcing out Farris at second as he hustles down the line beating the throw allowing Pichman to score for the 3-2 lead.
Scrappy Newsome found a way to plate one more run in the bottom half of the sixth to once again tie the game. Palm Harbor was determined for victory in the last inning. With two outs, Degnan (2-4, run scored) sends the first pitch he sees and blasts a line drive to center field for a single. On a 3-1 count, Jurco delivers in a huge way launching a gapping double to left center as the speedy Degnan scores all the way from first just under the tag for the go ahead run and 4-3 lead. Pichman comes through again with a sharp single scoring Jurco for the added insurance run. Brown then hits a towering fly ball to left that looks like it had the distance as Newsome’s left fielder brings it back in the yard for the third out.
With a two run PHU lead that is never safe with Newsome’s offense, Brown pitches a perfect inning to preserve the exciting 5-3 win.
Palm Harbor continues their district crown quest as they travel to Alonso on Thursday, April 21st with first pitch slated for 7 pm.
