West Deptford Majors Win Epic Slugfest

In a game that featured seven home runs and an eye-popping 37 runs, it was one of the weakest hit balls that ultimately tipped the scales in  a back-and-forth showdown between the Erial and West Deptford 11-12 Little League Teams.

Then again, considering just how crazy the game was, the ending might have just been fitting.

With two outs in the bottom of the eight inning of a tie game and Jared Schultes on first, Tommy Sampson hit a little dribbler between the pitcher and catcher. The two players collided, forcing an off-balanced throw that sailed into the outfield and allowed Schultes to come all the way around to score the decisive run of a 19-18 win.

“It was the most wild, surreal game you will ever see,” said West Deptford manager Gus Knestaut.

West Deptford advanced to the championship series where it will have to beat Monroe Township twice in a row to win a section title. The first game will be played tonight in West Deptford at 6 p.m.

When Erial and West Deptford each scored four runs in the first inning, the tempo was set for what looked to be a wild and frenzied Section 4 loser’s bracket final.

However, no one could have predicted just how crazy things would get.

Erial led 9-4 entering the bottom of the third, but West Deptford responded with seven runs to take an 11-9 lead.

“It was a wild back and forth game,” Knestaut said. “They were mashing the ball, we were mashing the ball. There were a bunch of home runs.”

West Deptford’s lead blossomed all the way to 17-12 entering the sixth, but Erial refused to go away. Erial battled back to take an 18-17 lead on a two-run double by Matt Mastrogionni—a shot that bounced off the center-field fence.

West Deptford then played the comeback game, getting a solo home run in the bottom of the sixth by Tommy Sampson to send the game into extras.

Mike Flaherty took the mound in the seventh after not throwing a pitch all tournament and pitched two shutout innings, affording West Deptford’s offense a chance to pull out the win.

When the ball was thrown away in the eighth allowing Schultes to score, players rushed to home plate to celebrate a dramatic victory.

“That ball sailed over the first baseman’s head and Jared was gone,” Knestaut said. “With his speed, there was no way he wasn’t scoring.”

There were plenty of stats to go around. Matt Knestaut was 3-for 4-with two runs scored, and a walk; Adrian Mason was 2-for-3 with a home run, two walks and three runs; Sampson had two hits, including a homer and two runs;. Kyle Magee was 2-for-4 with a homer and three runs scored; and Jake Keuler was 2-for-3 with two runs.

Erial also put up some big numbers, pounding out 16 hits, including four homers. Devin Leary hit two home runs, Ryan Colbert hit a three-run homer, and Trey Crumpler added a long ball.

The win was a bit of redemption for West Deptford as many of the players on the current team were on the team that was eliminated by Erial a year ago.

“It’s a huge statement for two reasons: No. 1, I always preach belief that we can play with anyone,” West Deptford coach Gus Knestaut said. “No. 2, we lost the 10-11 division to Erial and they crushed us.”

The two teams have formed a bit of a healthy rivalry against each other.

“We all know each other from travel ball and Jeff was coaching the team last year and they are good guys,” Knestaut said. “We have known each other for years.”

Now West Deptford will be tasked with beating a Monroe team that has ran through the tournament undefeated.

"Tommy Sampson is going to pitch (today) and he is one of our top three pitchers,” Knestaut said. “After that we are going to have to throw some guys who haven’t thrown all tournament. They are guys who can get it done though, so we will take our chances.”