Wayne Jr American Legion Baseball - (Wayne, PA)

While the outcome of a baseball game is always unpredictable, it is even more so when two very talented teams are up to face each other. That was exactly the case two days ago (Monday) when Haverford hosted Wayne in a Main Line Junior Legion baseball game. As it turned out Wayne really came out ready to play and upset Haverford, 5-1.

With this win, Wayne increased its record to 7-2 and snapped its two-game losing streak. It also improved to second place in Main Line Junior Legion action.

“Sean (O’Reilly) had three RBIs,” said Wayne manager Bob Bentz. “He really set the pace.”

Haverford dropped its record to 4-5-1 and slipped to fourth place. Throughout the season, the team has definitely been playing in spurts. After winning four consecutive games, this loss gave Haverford a three-game losing streak.

“The last three games were against tough teams,” said Haverford head coach Gerry Hart. “It’s been very competitive. We couldn’t hit. The 1-0 lead was nice. We just couldn’t sustain it.”

The Haverford defense started off strong allowing for a one, two, three top of the first inning. Haverford’s Jake Peabody was hit by a pitch. Tom Fior followed with a single and Chris Pokorny singled in Peabody for the 1-0 lead.

That was the only lead of the day Haverford held and it did not last long at that. Wayne’s Andrew Seaton singled and Colin Wright doubled. Seaton scored on a single by O’Reilly. Wright made it home on a steal to take the lead, a lead that Wayne held throughout the game. Sam Henderson singled in the bottom of the seventh.

Defense led the way for most of the third inning despite a single by Wayne’ Ellis Schaefer and another by Fior.

Wayne’s Mike Koerick began the fourth inning with a walk. Kyle Von-Hertsenberg was hit by a pitch and Mark McGee-Pasceri singled to load the bases with no outs. Koerick was out in an attempt to steal home. Wright singled in Von Hertsenberg. Zach DiPietro was out at first in the bottom half of the inning. Vince Piccioni walked but he and Dylan Cullen were both out on a double play.

Haverford only gave up one hit in the top of the fifth as Kevin Connor accounted for a single. The team almost got a run back in the bottom of the inning as Sam Henderson walked as did Dylan Anderson. Anderson was out and second as was Pat Morgan at first on Wayne’s second double play of the game. Henderson made it all the way to third but Jesse Hat struck out to end the inning.

Anderson replaced Morgan on the mound in the sixth. Von Hertsenberg and McGee-Pasceri both singled. Seaton walked and Wright singled to score Von Hertsenberg. O’Reilly grounded out but McGee-Pasceri scored on a double by Spencer Stokes. Seaton, however, was out at home. Henderson came to the mound to pitch and Devon Bauer popped one to left field.

Wayne gave up no runs or hits in the bottom of the sixth.

Hart pitched for Haverford in the seventh. Bobby Kooms came to the plate for Wayne and was walked. Von Hertsenberg was hit by a pitch but Haverford made three outs and allowed no more runs. Von Hertsenberg came in to pitch for Mike Koerick and made three consecutive strikeouts and the game was over.

“We started slow but we got some key hits,” said Bentz. “Haverford is a tough team.”

Koerick and Von Hertsenberg (single, two runs) combined for seven strikeouts.

“Mike did well on the mound,” said Bentz. “He threw 100 pitches. Kyle came in and struck three out.”

Morgan and Hart combined for three strikeouts.

“Our pitching was very good,” said Hart. “Pat pitched great. We couldn’t get him any run support. Defense was good.”