Devils Climb to Within One Game of Second Spot with 6-2 Win

As the Greater Norristown American Legion Baseball League playoffs quickly approach, each game increases in its importance as teams vying for playoff position in the double elimination tournament format to improve their position.

On Thursday night, the league confrontation between Whitpain and Collegeville was decided by the Devils ability to deliver the big hit, with men on and outstanding defense behind right hander Brett Davis, as the Devils defeated Whitpain 6-2 to improve to 8-6-1 in league play.

Davis (2-2), who allowed four hits to the first five Whitpain batters of the tilt, settled in after a first inning that more resembled batting practice for Whitpain, striking out five while scattering three hits fro the rest of the game to record the complete game victory.

“They were really jumping on my fastball,” said Davis. “I started mixing in breaking stuff early in the count, and they were not as effective, and I was able to get ahead of hitters. Pitching ahead all night was what really helped us get past that first inning.”

Collegeville used the first of its twin killings on the night to end Whitpain’s threat in the opening frame as Davis and company worked their way out of a bases-loaded, no-out jam, giving up only one run on a sacrifice fly to Pete Bogdon, before shortstop Andrew Kenney snared a line shot off the bat off Alec Linebarger, starting a 6-4-3 inning ending double play.

“That’s baseball. We got out to a great start hitting the ball,” said Whitpain manager Mike Basile. “Then, we crush the ball, but right at someone. Instead of two runs and the inning still going, we hit into a double play. It happens. I thought we came out with a great intensity early, but we kind of settled back into a lull after that.”  

Collegeville got things going in the second as Quinn Kelly, who improved his season average to .333, and Brett Davis smacked back-to-back doubles, scoring Andrew Boesh, who had reached on a fielder’s choice and Kelly, giving the Devils a 2-1 lead.

“I think tonight showed what kind of team we are,” said Devils manager Steve Banion. “We got a good pitching effort today and were able to get hits when we had men on. When we do that, we have a chance to win every game. We need to stay focused and continue to put the ball in play. I don’t think we had one strike out tonight, which puts the pressure on the other team to make plays.”

Davis (2-for-2, run, RBI) gave the Devils a spark as he led off the fifth with a bunt single, but found himself stuck at second after two routine outs, until Andrew Kenney (.433 season average) belted a base hit back through the middle moving Davis to third.

Chris Leahy (1-for-3, run, 3RBI) drove in his 11^th run of the season as he followed Kenney with a shot into the gap for a triple, clearing the bases and scoring himself when the relay throw got by third basemen Nate Simon to give Collegeville a 5-2 edge.

“It’s a lot of fun to come back and play with these guys,” said Mike Booz, who attended Lock Haven University this past year. “I have played with this group for years. Two years ago, when we got to the championship game, was awesome. Since then, all I have wanted to do is get back there, and I think we have a team that can do it.” 

After giving up a single run in the fourth inning, Davis shut down the Whitpain lineup, thus retiring the last 10 batters of the game to preserve a win that kept Collegeville in sole possession of the four seed.

The Devils are now within one game of Whitpain for second place overall. The Devils have a double header against Whitpain slated for Saturday.

“We are really trying to establish ourselves as a program,” said Banion. “It’s tough at time when you have three other teams running around here (ASA, AAU) that detract from the Legion team, but our guys have done a great job playing together and really enjoy playing baseball. This is the first year for the wood bats in the league, and I really think every one stays in the games because they move so fast. It’s been a lot of fun.”

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

R

H

E

Whitpain

1

0

0

1

0

0

0

2

7

1

Collegeville

0

2

0

0

3

1

X

6

7

1

AB

R

H

RBI

AB

R

H

RBI

O’Donnell ss

4

1

1

0

Kenney  ss

3

1

1

0

Kropnick 2b

4

0

1

0

Leahy  2b

3

1

1

3

Simon  3b

3

0

1

0

Delaney  3b

3

0

0

0

Bogdon  lf

1

0

0

1

Booz  lf

3

1

2

0

Kaissi  cf

3

0

1

0

Boesch cf

3

1

0

0

Linebarger  c

3

0

0

0

Kelly

3

1

1

2

Merrill  dh

2

1

1

0

Davis  p

2

1

2

1

Norwood  1b

3

0

1

0

Pierce c

3

0

0

0

McDonough  rf

2

0

1

0

Klein 1b

3

0

0

0

Totals

25

2

1

1

Totals

26

6

7

6

IP

R

ER

H

SO

BB

McGinley (L 2-1)

7

6

6

7

0

2

Davis(W 2-2)

7

2

2

7

5

3

2B-Davis, Kelly   3B-Leahy  HR- none      LOB- WTP -5   COL-2

time of the game 1:41   game temp 81 degrees  DP- Col (2)