Despite finishing with as many points as eventual league champion Fort Washington, Huntingdon Valley lost the head-to-head tiebreaker and finished second overall in the Lower Montco American Legion standings last season.
It was an occurrence with which Valley was familiar, as the team, currently coached by Evan Horn, has never – not once – finished first overall in the standings since starting in the league in 1963.
Valley won the league championship in 1980 and 1992, but still, the team has not been able to reach the top of the standings when the regular season came to a close.
So when Horn and his team look at the current standings, one which has Valley all alone in first place with 16 points and a 7-3-2 overall record, it’s a pretty big deal for them.
And one of the main reasons that Valley has been able to have so much success this season is the play of Rafael Fernandez, the recent Cheltenham High School graduate and current team captain who leads off for Valley while quarterbacking the defense from the shortstop position.
“Rafael is such a great kid,” said Horn, who is also an assistant coach for the William Tennent High baseball team. “He’s a great leadoff hitter, a great team leader, a great and slick fielder and I wish that every player I have every year would give an effort like he does. He gets to every groundball and he busts his ass out of the batter’s box every single time.”
Fernandez, standing at only 5-foot-5, will be playing baseball at Chestnut Hill Academy next season, and his current play at the mid-point of the summer legion season has only continued to get better since he played his final game at Cheltenham.
Fernandez, who was named team captain before what is only his second year with Valley, has an offensive line that most coaches could only dream of having from their leadoff hitter.
As of Tuesday, the starting shortstop was batting a remarkable .405 with three triples, seven stolen bases, seven runs scored and seven RBI. He has struck out only two times all season, while also committing only two errors in the field through his team’s first 12 games.
Perhaps the most impressive feat is Fernandez’ on-base percentage, which sits at .450, helped by the fact that he has reached base safely to lead off every single game this season.
And with Valley’s 3-4-5 hitters – Matt Meyers, Ryan Killian and Jordan Pocrass – featuring possibly the best middle-of-the-lineup in the league, Fernandez’ ability to get on base has been a huge reason for Valley’s ability to produce offense this season.
“With Rafael always on base, our other guys can be more selective at the plate knowing that he’s generally already in scoring position by the time they come up to bat,” Horn said.
“Our guys have a lot of talent and it’s nice to know that there are a lot of guys behind me in the lineup who know how to put the ball in play when we need to come up with hits,” Fernandez said. “Those three guys are some of the strongest guys I know and when we need a hit, any one of them can do it. It’s comforting to know that all the guys are putting the ball in play and doing what we have to do in the lineup.”
While Fernandez has only been with the team for two years, he is very aware of Valley’s history of never finishing atop the standings, and he said that it would be a huge victory for him and his team if they were able to accomplish such a feat.
“It would be kind of like a win for us,” he said. “We’ve never really had a great record in years past from what I’ve heard and so far, we’ve been doing very well since I got here last year and it has carried over into this season. Last year, we fell just short of Roslyn and this year, we’re kind of ready for that championship win.”
Fernandez, who has been playing baseball since he was five, has also gotten plenty of recognition from other coaches in the league.
Roslyn coach Jim Brett told Horn of Fernandez: “I can’t believe how much better he has gotten after just one season. He’s like a mini Hercules.”
Warminster coach Rick Penecale told Horn: “He’s probably one of the best players in the league. I cannot believe how good this kid is.”
And while Fernandez is enjoying the success he has achieved individually and with his team, he does realize that it does come with pressure and he will never take any of it lightly.
“It’s really difficult to be that guy. As a captain, you take a lot of responsibility and sometimes, you try to keep your guys in check from getting upset after striking out or making errors, even when we’re ahead in a 10-run game,” Fernandez said. “You still have to stay focused and there’s still a job to be done. It’s tough, but I just keep my head up and do what I have to do and the rest is up to my teammates whether to listen or not.”
It appears that Fernandez’ teammates have been listening, as Valley is now in the driver’s seat toward what it hopes to be its first championship in more than two decades.
“I am getting very good individual performances from everyone on my team,” Horn said. “And Raf is basically the leader of the team. We’re winning games, we’re playing baseball the right way and I contribute it to the way that (Raf) plays. He’s almost like Jake Madnick, who was my captain the last few years. He may not always be the very best player on the team, but he’s someone who will absolutely go through a wall for you. He has big shoes to fill, but he’s doing a great job of filling them.”
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
Friday, June 14, 2013
Cerruti, Huntingdon Valley Rally For Win Against Cedarbrook
After facing only five batters, Huntingdon Valley pitcher Nick Cerruti allowed three runs and four hits, including a home run to the third batter he faced. And while it didn’t seem like it would be a good night for the Valley starter, he quickly found his groove.
While the Valley offense did its job, Cerruti would go on to pitch a complete game, allowing just one hit in the final six innings to earn the victory in a 6-3 win over visiting Cedarbrook in a Lower MontCo American Legion game at Bryn Athyn’s Larry E. Spaulding Memorial Field Wednesday night.
With Cerruti gaining his composure and shutting down the Angels (4-2) for the remainder of the game, Valley was able to come back and tie the game in just the second inning and then eventually go up to stay after the third.
“I just changed my mental toughness,” Cerruti said. “I wasn’t really prepared going into the game because of finals and school and studying a lot, but I changed my approach and my pitches were on starting in the second inning.”
Cerruti also helped out his own cause, hitting a two-run single in the bottom of the second inning to get Valley (6-2-2) its first runs.
After shortstop Rafael Fernandez hit an RBI sacrifice fly to score Jack Titus and tie things up at 3-3 in the second, Valley came right back in the third with three consecutive hits, including a single by Jordan Pocrass, an RBI triple by Ryan Killian and an RBI single by Matt Lawlor to take a lead it would not relinquish.
“We’ve been playing well, but today, there were a few plays out there that we’ve been making that we weren’t able to make today and it hurt us,” said Cedarbrook coach George Vafiadis, whose team had won four consecutive games before Wednesday.
Cedarbrook’s big start was sparked by a single by Greg Wagner and a home run by John DeAngelis to deep left field, putting the Angels up 2-0. A single by Kevin Graham and an RBI single by pitcher Remi Wachsmuth put the Angels up 3-0 at the time, but Valley came right back a couple innings later.
“It was great to get those runs,” Cerruti said. “They gave me confidence and it really helped me to pitch the rest of the game.”
Despite the poor showing, Vafiadis isn’t worried about his team, which has been dealing with the absence of players due to graduations of late.
“We had a bunch of guys out today and graduations have been going on, but I figure after this week, we’ll be more together,” he said. “The attitude is good on this team and the guys are great. Their heads seem to be in it, their communication is there and I know exactly who is going to be here and who isn’t. That’s all you can ask for in a league like this.”
Cedarbrook was led by Wagner, who went 2-for-4 with a run, and DeAngelis, who finished 1-for-3 with a walk, a run and two RBIs.
The Angels will visit Warminster in a doubleheader Sunday afternoon.
“These upcoming games are big,” Vafiadis said. “They aren’t going to determine our season or what we’re going to end up doing this year, but they’re big and it’d be nice to come out with two Ws or at least one out of two. We’re just going to have to come out and battle and try to get a couple wins.”
As for Valley, Cerruti’s day on the mound and at the plate led the way. Lawlor finished 2-for-2 with a walk, two runs and an RBI, while Killian finished 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Designated hitter Brian Buckley went 2-for-3 with one run scored.
Valley will host Roslyn this Sunday in a doubleheader.
“Roslyn is our rival, so those games are big,” Cerruti said. “We have to play them like it’s the championship and we have to come out and win those.”
While the Valley offense did its job, Cerruti would go on to pitch a complete game, allowing just one hit in the final six innings to earn the victory in a 6-3 win over visiting Cedarbrook in a Lower MontCo American Legion game at Bryn Athyn’s Larry E. Spaulding Memorial Field Wednesday night.
With Cerruti gaining his composure and shutting down the Angels (4-2) for the remainder of the game, Valley was able to come back and tie the game in just the second inning and then eventually go up to stay after the third.
“I just changed my mental toughness,” Cerruti said. “I wasn’t really prepared going into the game because of finals and school and studying a lot, but I changed my approach and my pitches were on starting in the second inning.”
Cerruti also helped out his own cause, hitting a two-run single in the bottom of the second inning to get Valley (6-2-2) its first runs.
After shortstop Rafael Fernandez hit an RBI sacrifice fly to score Jack Titus and tie things up at 3-3 in the second, Valley came right back in the third with three consecutive hits, including a single by Jordan Pocrass, an RBI triple by Ryan Killian and an RBI single by Matt Lawlor to take a lead it would not relinquish.
“We’ve been playing well, but today, there were a few plays out there that we’ve been making that we weren’t able to make today and it hurt us,” said Cedarbrook coach George Vafiadis, whose team had won four consecutive games before Wednesday.
Cedarbrook’s big start was sparked by a single by Greg Wagner and a home run by John DeAngelis to deep left field, putting the Angels up 2-0. A single by Kevin Graham and an RBI single by pitcher Remi Wachsmuth put the Angels up 3-0 at the time, but Valley came right back a couple innings later.
“It was great to get those runs,” Cerruti said. “They gave me confidence and it really helped me to pitch the rest of the game.”
Despite the poor showing, Vafiadis isn’t worried about his team, which has been dealing with the absence of players due to graduations of late.
“We had a bunch of guys out today and graduations have been going on, but I figure after this week, we’ll be more together,” he said. “The attitude is good on this team and the guys are great. Their heads seem to be in it, their communication is there and I know exactly who is going to be here and who isn’t. That’s all you can ask for in a league like this.”
Cedarbrook was led by Wagner, who went 2-for-4 with a run, and DeAngelis, who finished 1-for-3 with a walk, a run and two RBIs.
The Angels will visit Warminster in a doubleheader Sunday afternoon.
“These upcoming games are big,” Vafiadis said. “They aren’t going to determine our season or what we’re going to end up doing this year, but they’re big and it’d be nice to come out with two Ws or at least one out of two. We’re just going to have to come out and battle and try to get a couple wins.”
As for Valley, Cerruti’s day on the mound and at the plate led the way. Lawlor finished 2-for-2 with a walk, two runs and an RBI, while Killian finished 1-for-3 with a run and an RBI. Designated hitter Brian Buckley went 2-for-3 with one run scored.
Valley will host Roslyn this Sunday in a doubleheader.
“Roslyn is our rival, so those games are big,” Cerruti said. “We have to play them like it’s the championship and we have to come out and win those.”
Box Score
CEDARBROOK (3) AT HUNTINGDON VALLEY (6) CEDARBROOK AB R H BI HUNTINGDON VALLEY AB R H BI Patrick Stillman 4 0 0 0 Rafael Fernandez 4 0 0 1 Gregory Wagner 4 1 2 0 Callan Palmer 4 0 0 0 John Deangelis 3 1 1 2 Jordan Pocrass 2 1 1 0 Kevin Graham 3 1 1 0 Ryan Killion 3 1 1 1 Brett Bernstein 3 0 0 0 Matt Lawlor 2 2 2 1 Azaan Harris 1 0 0 0 Brian Buckley 3 1 2 0 Remi Wachmuth 2 0 1 1 Lewis Palmer 3 0 0 0 R Patrick 3 0 0 0 Jack Titus 3 1 1 0 Joseph Tsung 3 0 0 0 Nick Cerruti 3 0 1 2 TOTALS 26 3 5 3 TOTALS 27 6 8 5 CEDARBROOK 300 000 0 -- 3 HUNTINGDON VALLEY 033 000 x -- 6 LOB--CEDARBROOK 7, HUNTINGDON VALLEY 5. ERR--Gregory Wagner, Remi Wachmuth, Mark Franchetti, Jordan Pocrass. 3B--Ryan Killion. HR--John Deangelis. HBP--John Deangelis. SB--Kevin Graham, Azaan Harris. CEDARBROOK IP H R ER BB SO HR Remi Wachmuth 6.00 8 6 4 2 3 0 HUNTINGDON VALLEY Nick Cerruti 7.00 5 3 3 4 3 1 WP--Remi Wachmuth (3), Nick Cerruti (2). SO--John Deangelis, Patrick Stillman, R Patrick, Nick Cerruti, Jack Titus, Callan Palmer. BB--Remi Wachmuth, Kevin Graham, Azaan Harris (2), Jordan Pocrass, Matt Lawlor.
Warminster, Huntingdon Valley Play To A Tie
American Legion baseball switched from PIAA to MLB rules this season. One MLB rules that does not apply is teams being able to play to a tie.
Warminster and Huntingdon Valley scrapped to a 3-3 final with the Bulldogs scoring all their runs in the final two frames.
Huntingdon Valley opened the scoring in the third inning when Callan Palmer walked and Matt Meyers singled. The two were knocked in on RBI singles by Matt Lawlor and Brian Buckley.
The reason for Warminster not scoring until the sixth inning was partly due to poor base running early in the game and partly due to the pitching of Paul Buckley. Buckley was able to pitch himself out of jams for much of the game as he stranded 10 Bulldogs through out the game and six through the first five innings.
“Like I said to him in front of the whole team, today he didn’t have his best stuff,” Huntingdon Valley coach Evan Horn said. “But he guts it out.”
While Warminster suffered from its share of base running blunders early in the contest, Huntingdon Valley was also plagued with the same problem and no time more relevant than in the bottom of the sixth inning.
After Warminster scored twice in the top of the inning, Huntingdon Valley loaded the bases to start the bottom of the inning and only managed to score one run with a bases-loaded walk to Rafael Fernandez.
“It was tough, we just couldn’t execute hits and runs,” Fernandez, Huntingdon Valley’s captain, said. “When we had to execute it just didn’t work out.”
With Huntingdon Valley only managing one run in the inning, it left the door open for Warminster in the top of the seventh, and it responded when Jimmy McNally scored Kevin Devine to tie the score at three.
“It’s a tie, but when you’re scrapping you’ll take it,” Warminster coach Rick Penecale said. “Both teams played pretty well and that’s the way it ended.”
“Anytime you’re winning 2-0 in the sixth inning you expect to win the game,” Horn said. “At that point playing basically not to lose the game.”
Perhaps a tie was fitting for the two teams being this is the second tie this season for Huntingdon Valley, moving its record to 5-2-2, and the third tie for Warminster, taking its record to 1-4-3.
“I’m really happy with my team’s performance so far,” Horn said. “We’re 5-2-2, we’re probably first place in the league, a tough league.”
“In this situation we blew a two-run lead, last game we blew a [four- or five-] run lead, that’s not typical of our team. We basically are a decent ball club. We’re missing a lot of kids in the middle of the lineup.”
Warminster and Huntingdon Valley scrapped to a 3-3 final with the Bulldogs scoring all their runs in the final two frames.
Huntingdon Valley opened the scoring in the third inning when Callan Palmer walked and Matt Meyers singled. The two were knocked in on RBI singles by Matt Lawlor and Brian Buckley.
The reason for Warminster not scoring until the sixth inning was partly due to poor base running early in the game and partly due to the pitching of Paul Buckley. Buckley was able to pitch himself out of jams for much of the game as he stranded 10 Bulldogs through out the game and six through the first five innings.
“Like I said to him in front of the whole team, today he didn’t have his best stuff,” Huntingdon Valley coach Evan Horn said. “But he guts it out.”
While Warminster suffered from its share of base running blunders early in the contest, Huntingdon Valley was also plagued with the same problem and no time more relevant than in the bottom of the sixth inning.
After Warminster scored twice in the top of the inning, Huntingdon Valley loaded the bases to start the bottom of the inning and only managed to score one run with a bases-loaded walk to Rafael Fernandez.
“It was tough, we just couldn’t execute hits and runs,” Fernandez, Huntingdon Valley’s captain, said. “When we had to execute it just didn’t work out.”
With Huntingdon Valley only managing one run in the inning, it left the door open for Warminster in the top of the seventh, and it responded when Jimmy McNally scored Kevin Devine to tie the score at three.
“It’s a tie, but when you’re scrapping you’ll take it,” Warminster coach Rick Penecale said. “Both teams played pretty well and that’s the way it ended.”
“Anytime you’re winning 2-0 in the sixth inning you expect to win the game,” Horn said. “At that point playing basically not to lose the game.”
Perhaps a tie was fitting for the two teams being this is the second tie this season for Huntingdon Valley, moving its record to 5-2-2, and the third tie for Warminster, taking its record to 1-4-3.
“I’m really happy with my team’s performance so far,” Horn said. “We’re 5-2-2, we’re probably first place in the league, a tough league.”
“In this situation we blew a two-run lead, last game we blew a [four- or five-] run lead, that’s not typical of our team. We basically are a decent ball club. We’re missing a lot of kids in the middle of the lineup.”
Box Score
WARMINSTER (3) AT HUNTINGDON VALLEY (3) WARMINSTER AB R H BI HUNTINGDON VALLEY AB R H BI Brett Kozlowski 4 0 2 1 Rafael Fernandez 2 0 0 1 Dan Hinks 4 0 0 0 Callan Palmer 3 1 1 0 Kevin Devine 4 1 1 0 Matt Meyers 4 1 1 0 Dan Ashdale 3 1 2 0 Matt Lawlor 3 0 1 1 James McNally 3 1 1 1 Brian Buckley 3 0 2 1 Brandon Tocce 3 0 1 0 Matt Hyman 1 0 0 0 Sean Hyland 1 0 0 0 Lewis Palmer 1 1 0 0 Ryan Lucas 4 0 0 1 Sean Weiss 3 0 0 0 John Felix 2 0 1 0 Jack Titus 2 0 0 0 Liam Browning 2 0 1 0 Peter Ebert 3 0 1 0 Robert Day 0 0 0 0 TOTALS 30 3 9 3 TOTALS 25 3 6 3 WARMINSTER 000 002 10 -- 3 HUNTINGDON VALLEY 002 001 0x -- 3 LOB--WARMINSTER 10, HUNTINGDON VALLEY 10. 2B--Brett Kozlowski. HBP--Dan Ashdale. SB--James McNally, Kevin Devine. WARMINSTER IP H R ER BB SO HR Ryan Lucas 5.00 6 3 3 6 4 0 Brandon Tocce 2.00 0 0 0 3 5 0 HUNTINGDON VALLEY Paul Buckley 7.00 9 3 3 3 2 0 PB--James McNally. WP--Brandon Tocce. SO--Ryan Lucas, Brandon Tocce, Matt Meyers (2), Peter Ebert, Sean Weiss (2), Matt Lawlor (2), Callan Palmer, Matt Hyman. BB--Robert Day, James McNally, John Felix, Lewis Palmer (3), Sean Weiss, Jack Titus, Matt Lawlor, Rafael Fernandez (2), Callan Palmer.
Monday, June 10, 2013
Horsham Hands Huntingdon Valley First Loss Of Season
During the regular season, Ryan Kelly and John Hlywiak get things done for the Hatboro-Horsham Hatters’ baseball team. And now, with the summer league legion season in full swing, the two are doing it yet again for Horsham.
Kelly and Hlywiak combined to pitch seven innings, allowing just one earned run while striking out seven batters to help lift Horsham to a 6-4 win over host Huntingdon Valley in a Lower Montco American Legion League game at Lower Moreland High School on Tuesday evening.
Kelly tossed five innings of four-hit ball, allowing two runs – one earned – while striking out six to earn the win. Hkywiak came in and tossed two innings, allowing one hit and two unearned runs to pick up the save. And if that wasn’t enough, Kelly added a double and an RBI triple at the plate, while Hlywiak hit an RBI triple.
“We got early, timely hitting,” Horsham coach Bill DeBoer said. “We got some big hits and we got a good effort from Kelly on the mound. He was a little bit touchy early, but once he found his groove, he was throwing strikes and that’s all we ask right now. He had good velocity and then John came in and beat them with some off-speed stuff.”
The win for Horsham (2-1) marked the first time that any team was able to get past Valley (4-1-1), which entered the contest unbeaten in five previous games.
“They’re a good team,” DeBoer said of Valley. “They’re a real good team and they’re not undefeated for no reason. We knew we needed to come in and execute and that’s what we did. We made a couple of mistakes which I attribute to a crappy field as far as hops and the sun goes, but they’re a tough team. “
Horsham got the scoring started in the second inning when Eric Thomas hit an RBI fielder’s choice to score Kelly, who led the inning off with a double. In the third, Horsham had five runners cross the plate, with the highlights being an RBI single by Kelly, Hlywiak’s RBI triple and a two-out, two-strike, two-run single by Thomas.
“Today, we came out kind of sluggish and when you go down six runs to a good team in a game with wood bats, it’s kind of hard to get back into the game,” Valley coach Evan Horn said. “We did battle well, though, but Horsham is a good team.”
Valley did get four runs back in the bottom half of the sixth inning, with three of those runs being unearned after a trio of errors by the Horsham defense. Pitcher Jordan Procrass led the inning off with a home run over the left field fence and later in the inning, Jack Titus, Nick Cerruti and Matt Hyman would all score runs thanks to errors in the infield.
Procrass, who took the loss after allowing five earned runs in three innings of work, led Valley while going 2-for-4 with the home run. Matt Meyers went 2-for-3 with a double, while Rafael Fernandez added an RBI and a lead-off single.
“With this group of kids, there is no problem at all with bouncing back from this loss,” Horn said. “I’m very confident that come Sunday in our doubleheader against Southampton, we’ll be ready to play. We have a great middle of the lineup and I think the best 2-3-4 in the league. We have Raf (Fernandez) leading off, Callan Palmer is a Penn State Abington guy and I think that Matt (Meyers) is the best hitter in the league and there’s no question about it. We’re a tough lineup to beat, but they (Horsham) beat us.”
Horsham, which was the subject of a rained out game on Monday night, was led offensively by Kelly, who went 2-for-3 with two runs. Hlywiak finished 1-for-3 with two walks, one run and one RBI, while lead-off hitter Tom Rosenbaum went 2-for-4 with one run scored. Fisher went 1-for-2 with two RBI.
“We had some quality at bats earlier in the game and I expect us to battle with every team,” DeBoer said. “All of the games in this league should be 1-2 run games. As long as you’re throwing strikes in this league, you should be making the plays defensively.”
HORSHAM (6) AT HUNTINGDON VALLEY (4) HORSHAM AB R H BI HUNTINGDON VALLEY AB R H BI Thomas Rosenbaum 4 1 2 0 Rafael Fernandez 4 0 2 1 Adam Arcadia 2 1 0 0 Callan Palmer 4 0 0 0 Austin Anderson 0 0 0 0 Matt Meyers 3 0 3 2 Joseph Simmons 4 0 0 0 Brian Buckley 3 0 0 0 Grant Opalisky 3 0 0 0 Jordan Pocrass 4 1 2 1 Matthew Redican 1 0 0 0 Lewis Palmer 1 0 0 0 Ryan Kelly 3 2 1 1 Jack Titus 1 1 0 0 John Hlywiak 1 1 1 1 Nick Cerruti 3 1 0 0 Eric Thomas 2 1 0 1 Lance Goodnan 2 0 0 0 Thomas Fisher 2 0 0 2 Matt Hyman 2 1 0 0 Alex Kleidon 1 0 0 0 Eric Lane 2 0 0 0 Brad Humski 1 0 0 0 TOTALS 26 6 4 5 TOTALS 27 4 7 4 HORSHAM 015 000 0 -- 6 HUNTINGDON VALLEY 000 004 0 -- 4 LOB--HORSHAM 4, HUNTINGDON VALLEY 11. ERR--Nick Cerruti, Jordan Pocrass, Brian Buckley. 2B--Ryan Kelly, Matt Meyers. 3B--John Hlywiak. HR--Jordan Pocrass. SB--Eric Thomas, Thomas Fisher, Thomas Rosenbaum (3), Adam Arcadia, Lewis Palmer. HORSHAM IP H R ER BB SO HR Ryan Kelly (W) 6.00 6 4 4 8 6 1 John Hlywiak (S) 1.00 1 0 0 1 1 0 HUNTINGDON VALLEY Jordan Pocrass (L) 3.00 4 6 2 3 6 0 Nick Cerruti 4.00 0 0 0 2 2 0 PB--Eric Thomas. WP--Jordan Pocrass (2). SO--Thomas Fisher, Joseph Simmons, Adam Arcadia (2), Alex Kleidon, Grant Opalisky, Eric Lane (2), Nick Cerruti, Lewis Palmer, Lance Goodnan, Jordan Pocrass (2), Rafael Fernandez, Callan Palmer. BB--Eric Thomas, John Hlywiak (2), Adam Arcadia, Austin Anderson, Matt Meyers, Nick Cerruti, Lewis Palmer (3), Jack Titus (3), Brian Buckley.
Monday, June 3, 2013
Huntingdon Valley Scores 6 Runs In Last At Bats To Come From Behind And Shock Fort Washington 10-6
Huntingdon Valley (HV) continued its hot start with a come from behind victory over defending champion Fort Washington (FW) 10-6 tonight. HV took a quick 4-0 lead after 2 innings to only see it disappear when FW scored runs in the 2nd, 3rd and 4th innings to take a 6-4 lead. In what turned out to be the last inning due to darkness HV scored 6 times all with 2 outs to take a lead of 10-6. The lead would hold up after FW went down 1-2-3 in the home 5th.
HV jumped all over FW in the first 2 innings to take the 4-0 lead. Clean-Up hitter Ryan Killion (2-3, 2 Rbi's) crushed an Rbi triple scoring Team Captain Rafael Fernandez (3-3, 3 Runs Scored, 2 Rbi's) to complete the scoring in the 1st. The 2nd inning started with a single off the bat of hot hitting Matt Lawlor. Lawlor came around to score when Peter Ebert singled him in. Matt Meyers added to the lead and completed the scoring when he smoked a 2 run single and give HV a 4-0 lead
"Its great jumping out to a quick 4-0 lead but the way The Fort plays you almost know it isn't enough. They follow there coaches lead and never give up" Head Coach Evan Horn said, "Playing them is like playing the Yankees it is never over until its over or in this game until it gets dark'
Coach Horn wasnt kidding. FW scored 6 times to take a 6-4 lead before HV took the game for good in the away 5th inning.
In the 5th the inning started with a quick out. After a walk to Brian Buckley, Lawlor hit a single to make it 1st and 2nd. After a Jack Titus strike out Sean Weiss worked a great 2 out walk to load the bases. Fernandez continued his incredible season with a game tying 2 run single. First Year player Ebert singled in the go ahead run to make it 7-6. After a pitching change Matt Meyers, Ryan Killion and Jordan Pocrass all hit Rbi singles to make the score 10-6.
"Mike Landes did a great job getting this team up to play today", Horn who didn't attend the game due to a family function, continued, "He is my right hand man and even though I get almost all the credit for the teams success he is a huge huge part of it. We wouldn't be in the situation we are in as an organization without people like Mike. He gives up a lot of time and makes sure we are ready to go and the kids love him what else can I ask for"
HV is right at it again tomorrow as they host Horsham in a huge Senior Legion game at 6:00
HV jumped all over FW in the first 2 innings to take the 4-0 lead. Clean-Up hitter Ryan Killion (2-3, 2 Rbi's) crushed an Rbi triple scoring Team Captain Rafael Fernandez (3-3, 3 Runs Scored, 2 Rbi's) to complete the scoring in the 1st. The 2nd inning started with a single off the bat of hot hitting Matt Lawlor. Lawlor came around to score when Peter Ebert singled him in. Matt Meyers added to the lead and completed the scoring when he smoked a 2 run single and give HV a 4-0 lead
"Its great jumping out to a quick 4-0 lead but the way The Fort plays you almost know it isn't enough. They follow there coaches lead and never give up" Head Coach Evan Horn said, "Playing them is like playing the Yankees it is never over until its over or in this game until it gets dark'
Coach Horn wasnt kidding. FW scored 6 times to take a 6-4 lead before HV took the game for good in the away 5th inning.
In the 5th the inning started with a quick out. After a walk to Brian Buckley, Lawlor hit a single to make it 1st and 2nd. After a Jack Titus strike out Sean Weiss worked a great 2 out walk to load the bases. Fernandez continued his incredible season with a game tying 2 run single. First Year player Ebert singled in the go ahead run to make it 7-6. After a pitching change Matt Meyers, Ryan Killion and Jordan Pocrass all hit Rbi singles to make the score 10-6.
"Mike Landes did a great job getting this team up to play today", Horn who didn't attend the game due to a family function, continued, "He is my right hand man and even though I get almost all the credit for the teams success he is a huge huge part of it. We wouldn't be in the situation we are in as an organization without people like Mike. He gives up a lot of time and makes sure we are ready to go and the kids love him what else can I ask for"
HV is right at it again tomorrow as they host Horsham in a huge Senior Legion game at 6:00
Game Stats - 6/3/13 Huntingdon Valley at Fort Washington
Box Score
HUNTINGDON VALLEY (10) AT FORT WASHINGTON (6) HUNTINGDON VAL AB R H BI FORT WASHINGTON AB R H BI Rafael Fernandez 3 3 3 2 Luke Pollock 3 2 2 1 Peter Ebert 4 1 2 1 Bryn D'Andrea 3 0 2 1 Matt Meyers 4 1 2 3 Ryan Coonahan 2 0 1 1 Ryan Killion 3 0 2 2 Morey Hershgordon 3 0 0 0 Jordan Pocrass 3 0 1 1 John Lee 2 1 0 0 Brian Buckley 2 1 0 0 Christian Huckfeldt 3 1 1 0 Matt Lawlor 3 2 2 0 Edward Bacino 2 1 1 0 Jack Titus 3 1 1 0 James Weiss 2 0 0 2 Sean Weiss 2 0 0 0 Cole Swiger 2 1 1 1 *Mark Rushton 0 1 0 0 TOTALS 27 10 13 9 TOTALS 22 6 8 6 HUNTINGDON VALLEY 130 060 -- 10 FORT WASHINGTON 021 30x -- 6 LOB--HUNTINGDON VALLEY 7, FORT WASHINGTON 3. ERR--Peter Ebert, Cole Swiger. 2B--Cole Swiger, Ryan Coonahan. 3B--Ryan Killion. HBP--Ryan Coonahan, John Lee. SB--Mark Rushton, Rafael Fernandez, James Weiss (2), John Lee, Edward Bacino. HUNTINGDON VALLEY IP H R ER BB SO HR Paul Buckley (W) 4.00 8 6 6 0 3 0 Jordan Pocrass 1.00 0 0 0 0 0 0 FORT WASHINGTON Edward Bacino 4.67 10 9 9 5 6 0 Christian Huckfeldt (L) 0.33 3 1 1 0 0 0 WP--Paul Buckley, Edward Bacino. SO--Jordan Pocrass, Peter Ebert, Jack Titus, Matt Lawlor, Brian Buckley, Ryan Killion, James Weiss, Ryan Coonahan, Christian Huckfeldt. BB--Jordan Pocrass, Sean Weiss, Brian Buckley, Ryan Killion, Rafael Fernandez.
Huntingdon Valley Wins and Ties In Doubleheader With Warminster
Huntingdon Valley (HV) won the first game of a doubleheader on Sunday against Warminster (Warm) by the score of 7-5. HV held the lead all game from beginning to end. Warm threatened in the home 7th to only be shut down by Sean Weiss. Weiss inherited a bases loaded no out jam and earned his first save of the season.
HV scored 3 runs in the top of the first inning lead by a 2 run single by Brian Buckley (2-4, 2 Rbi's). HV scored a single run in the 4th and had its biggest inning of the game in the top of the 5th inning. In the 5th Matt Lawlor, Peter Ebert and team Captain Rafael Fernandez each had an Rbi single.
HV received a strong pitching performance from starter Mark Rushton who went the first 4 innings and only allowing 2 earned runs. HV turned the ball over to Ross Goodman who pitched 2 innings before getting in the 7th inning jam that Weiss got out of
"Its great to know that you have such good pitching. All the arms today got the job done. Mark is getting stronger every game and it is a super plus to have Ross "The Boss" back after his long College school year and trip to Israel. He always is around the plate and really just throws strikes. Sean is a pitcher that is hard not to love. Keeps the ball down and hits spots" Coach Evan Horn said, "Whoever I call on wants to do the job for the team. These kids are a pleasure to be around. The sky is the limit and us coaches will continue to push them"
In the 2nd game HV and Warm played to a 2-2 tie. HV received a complete game from Weiss and got 2 Rbi singles off the bat of Callan Palmer. The game was called due to darkness after the 5th inning. Leading the offensive was Fernandez and Palmer who both had 2 hits each.
"Raf is the spark plug for this team" Coach Horn said, "He was named team captain between games and was very surprised by the honor. To us coaches it was an easy choice. Raf plays with pure heart and never doesn't give everything he has. I look forward to him leading the team for the next 2 seasons"
HV is on the road tomorrow against Fort Washington 6:00 start
HV scored 3 runs in the top of the first inning lead by a 2 run single by Brian Buckley (2-4, 2 Rbi's). HV scored a single run in the 4th and had its biggest inning of the game in the top of the 5th inning. In the 5th Matt Lawlor, Peter Ebert and team Captain Rafael Fernandez each had an Rbi single.
HV received a strong pitching performance from starter Mark Rushton who went the first 4 innings and only allowing 2 earned runs. HV turned the ball over to Ross Goodman who pitched 2 innings before getting in the 7th inning jam that Weiss got out of
"Its great to know that you have such good pitching. All the arms today got the job done. Mark is getting stronger every game and it is a super plus to have Ross "The Boss" back after his long College school year and trip to Israel. He always is around the plate and really just throws strikes. Sean is a pitcher that is hard not to love. Keeps the ball down and hits spots" Coach Evan Horn said, "Whoever I call on wants to do the job for the team. These kids are a pleasure to be around. The sky is the limit and us coaches will continue to push them"
In the 2nd game HV and Warm played to a 2-2 tie. HV received a complete game from Weiss and got 2 Rbi singles off the bat of Callan Palmer. The game was called due to darkness after the 5th inning. Leading the offensive was Fernandez and Palmer who both had 2 hits each.
"Raf is the spark plug for this team" Coach Horn said, "He was named team captain between games and was very surprised by the honor. To us coaches it was an easy choice. Raf plays with pure heart and never doesn't give everything he has. I look forward to him leading the team for the next 2 seasons"
HV is on the road tomorrow against Fort Washington 6:00 start
Game Stats - 6/2/13 Huntingdon Valley at Warminster
Box Score
HUNTINGDON VALLEY (7) AT WARMINSTER (5) HUNTINGDON VAL AB R H BI WARMINSTER AB R H BI Callan Palmer 3 1 1 0 Brett Kozlowski 3 3 1 0 Lewis Palmer 4 0 1 0 Nick Ellis 3 1 2 0 Matt Meyers 4 1 1 0 Kevin Devine 3 0 2 1 Ryan Killion 3 2 1 1 Dan Ashdale 4 0 2 3 Jordan Pocrass 2 2 1 0 James McNally 3 0 2 1 Brian Buckley 4 0 2 2 Chuck Delagol 3 0 0 0 Matt Lawlor 3 1 2 1 Sean Hyland 1 0 1 0 Nick Cerruti 0 0 0 0 Timothy Brodhag 4 0 0 0 Peter Ebert 3 0 1 1 Brandon Tocce 1 0 0 0 Matt Hyman 1 0 0 0 Liam Browning 2 0 0 0 Rafael Fernandez 3 0 1 1 Thomas Velten 2 1 0 0 TOTALS 30 7 11 6 TOTALS 29 5 10 5 HUNTINGDON VALLEY 300 130 0 -- 7 WARMINSTER 002 010 2 -- 5 LOB--HUNTINGDON VALLEY 7, WARMINSTER 8. ERR--Mark Rushton, Timothy Brodhag. SACF--James McNally. SACB--Kevin Devine. SB--Jordan Pocrass, Matt Lawlor (2), Brian Buckley, Ryan Killion (2), Rafael Fernandez, Callan Palmer, James McNally, Kevin Devine, Brett Kozlowski, Dan Ashdale. HUNTINGDON VALLEY IP H R ER BB SO HR Mark Rushton (W) 4.00 7 3 2 1 3 0 Ross Goodman 2.00 1 2 2 2 2 0 Sean Weiss (S) 1.00 2 0 0 0 1 0 WARMINSTER
John Felix (L) 4.67 10 7 5 3 2 0 Thomas Velten 2.33 1 0 0 2 1 0 BALK--John Felix. SO--Lewis Palmer, Peter Ebert, Callan Palmer, Timothy Brodhag, Chuck Delagol (3), Liam Browning, Brandon Tocce. BB--Nick Cerruti, Jordan Pocrass (2), Ryan Killion, Callan Palmer, Thomas Velten, Brett Kozlowski, Nick Ellis.
Game Stats - 6/2/13 Huntingdon Valley at Warminster
Box Score
HUNTINGDON VALLEY (2) AT WARMINSTER (2) HUNTINGDON VAL AB R H BI WARMINSTER AB R H BI Rafael Fernandez 3 2 2 0 Brett Kozlowski 3 0 1 0 Callan Palmer 3 0 2 2 Nick Ellis 3 0 0 0 Ryan Killion 3 0 0 0 Kevin Devine 3 0 0 0 Jordan Pocrass 2 0 1 0 Dan Ashdale 3 0 0 0 Brian Buckley 2 0 0 0 James McNally 1 0 1 0 Paul Buckley 1 0 1 0 Dan Hinks 3 0 0 0 Jack Titus 2 0 0 0 Timothy Brodhag 1 1 0 0 Matt Hyman 2 0 0 0 Brandon Tocce 1 0 1 0 Nick Cerruti 2 0 0 0 John Felix 2 0 1 2 *Chuck Delagol 0 1 0 0 TOTALS 20 2 6 2 TOTALS 20 2 4 2 HUNTINGDON VALLEY 001 010 -- 2 WARMINSTER 000 20x -- 2 LOB--HUNTINGDON VALLEY 6, WARMINSTER 7. ERR--Rafael Fernandez. 2B--Jordan Pocrass, Rafael Fernandez. SACB--Paul Buckley. SB--Paul Buckley, Jack Titus, Rafael Fernandez, Callan Palmer, Brett Kozlowski. HUNTINGDON VALLEY IP H R ER BB SO HR Sean Weiss 5.00 4 2 2 4 2 0 WARMINSTER Kevin Devine 5.00 6 2 2 2 6 0 BALK--Kevin Devine. SO--Ryan Killion (3), Rafael Fernandez, Matt Hyman (2), Dan Hinks, Dan Ashdale. BB--Jordan Pocrass, Brian Buckley, James McNally (2), Timothy Brodhag, Brandon Tocce.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Meyers 3-Run Walkoff Homerun Helps Huntingdon Valley Beat The Morelanders 4-3
Meyers 3-Run Walkoff Homerun Helps Huntingdon Valley Beat The Morelanders
4-3
Huntingdon Valley (HV) raised its record to 2-0 as Slugger Matt Meyers hit a 3 run walk-off home run with 2 outs in the home 7th inning tonight against the leagues top team The Morelanders (More) 4-3. Meyers home run came as no surprise as the same thing happened last season against the same team.
"Matt did it again tonight" a very happy Head Coach Evan Horn said "Matt did it last season almost in the same part of the game" (Meyers hit a 2 run home run last season in the top of the 8th inning with 2 outs to push HV to the victory) "I was thinking that he was up 5th in the inning and maybe he will get a chance to do it again. After 2 outs and nobody on base it didn't look good but my Palmer boys got on base and then the first pitch to Matty and after the swing I said Holy Pickle Juice that ball is gone and then the party started"
HV and More went back and forth and entire game with More taking the lead 3-1 with a 2 run 6th inning off pitcher Paul Buckley. Buckley was lifted in favor of Lower Moreland Junior Nick Cerruti who came in and stop the bleeding
"Buck (Buckley) didn't have his "A" game today and like I said after the game I was very impressed with how he still gave everything he could and kept us in the game. Buck being a senior on the team showed what it takes and I just love that kid" Horn continued "Its funny how it turns out but Cerruti gets the win and all the glory but Buck was the reason we where able to get the W. Cerruti is growing, in baseball terms, every game and he will be a horse for this team over the next 3 seasons.
Coach Horn was also very quick to point out that beating More is a very hard thing to do
"They (More) are the top dog this season. They have tons of pitching tons of hitting and a great coach in Ken (Irwin). I am very honored to beat them this time and am very sure that they will remember this game and come out next game with an edge. We have to keep the pressure on them and try and get that last at bat within striking distance"
HV received a great all around game from Rafael Fernandez, 2 hits from Brian Buckley and an RBI Single from Jordan Pocrass
"We are young this season and have a ton of kids that are happy to contribute and do whatever it takes to win. This group is growing on our Coaching staff quick but I guess winning the first 2 games of the season that will happen" Horn said
HV is at Warminster this Sunday at 3:00 for a Doubleheader
Game Stats - 5/30/13 Morelanders at Huntingdon Valley
Box Score
MORELANDERS (3) AT HUNTINGDON VALLEY (4)
MORELANDERS AB R H BI HUNTINGDON VALLEY AB R H BI
Matthew Kohn 3 0 0 1 Callan Palmer 4 1 1 0
Charles Hooker 2 0 1 0 Lewis Palmer 3 1 0 0
Edward Decker 1 0 0 0 Matt Meyers 3 1 1 3
Patrick Driscoll 2 0 1 0 Matt Lawlor 1 0 1 0
Jason White 0 0 0 0 Ryan Killion 2 1 0 0
Colton Hooker 4 0 1 1 Jordan Pocrass 3 0 1 1
Michael Cavanaugh 2 0 0 0 Brian Buckley 3 0 2 0
Kyle Irwin 3 1 2 0 Paul Buckley 2 0 0 0
Thomas Robinson 3 1 1 1 Nick Cerruti 1 0 0 0
Daniel Murt 3 0 1 0 Jack Titus 2 0 1 0
Nicholas Parker 3 1 1 0 Peter Ebert 1 0 0 0
Rafael Fernandez 2 0 1 0
TOTALS 26 3 8 3TOTALS 27 4 8 4
MORELANDERS 000 012 0 -- 3
HUNTINGDON VALLEY 000 100 3 -- 4
LOB--MORELANDERS 8, HUNTINGDON VALLEY 6. ERR--Kyle Irwin,
Matt Hyman. 2B--Charles Hooker, Kyle Irwin, Patrick
Driscoll, Rafael Fernandez. HR--Matt Meyers. HBP--Matthew
Kohn, Michael Cavanaugh. SACB--Edward Decker, Rafael
Fernandez. SB--Kyle Irwin, Nicholas Parker, Brian Buckley,
Ryan Killion.
MORELANDERS IP H R ER BB SO HR
Micael Janas (L) 6.67 8 4 4 2 9 1
HUNTINGDON VALLEY
Paul Buckley 5.33 7 3 3 3 2 0
Nick Cerruti (W) 1.67 1 0 0 0 1 0
PB--Jack Titus. WP--Micael Janas, Paul Buckley. SO--Daniel
Murt, Colton Hooker, Patrick Driscoll, Matt Meyers, Lewis
Palmer (2), Jordan Pocrass, Paul Buckley, Peter Ebert, Jack
Titus, Ryan Killion (2). BB--Patrick Driscoll (2), Michael
Cavanaugh, Lewis Palmer, Ryan Killion
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