LOWER SALFORD – With the go-ahead run on third base in the top of the sixth inning, Pennridge’s Joe Gregoire knew this was not the time for an unproductive at-bat.
“When I got up there I was just thinking put the ball in play – it doesn’t matter where,” the Rams senior right fielder said. “Back at the pitcher, doesn’t matter, up the middle, into the outfield, third base, it doesn’t really matter, just put it in play.”
Gregoire did just that, getting enough off a pitch for a groundout to bring home courtesy runner Owen Gruver and break the 2-2 tie with host Souderton in Tuesday afternoon’s SOL Colonial Division baseball contest at Vic Alderfer Memorial Ball Park.
“I just put the ball to third base, Gruver scores,” Gregoire said. “Even though I get out it’s just team baseball, we just got to keep playing.”
It was the second of two runs the Rams scraped together in the frame, having pulled even with the Indians on an errant throw to third after Will Munley’s bunt.
Pennridge held on to the lead from there, Ryder Olson stranding a pair of runners in the bottom of the seventh to secure the Rams’ 3-2 victory.
“Whether we’re on the losing end of games, winning end of games, I always tell the guys the game’s usually decided by a couple pitches,” Pennridge first-year coach Danny Long said. “You don’t know where they’re going to be at in the course of seven innings but it’s going to be decided by a couple pitches.”
Small ball generated most of the scoring for both sides, as the lone hit to drive in a run was Matt Atchley’s RBI double inside the left-field line in the top of the first inning.
“That’s been our strong point lately, it’s the bats and just today we didn’t generate a whole lot of contact on a lot of plays,” Souderton coach Mike Childs said. “So I got to give credit to their pitchers too.”
Rams starting pitcher Connor Murray did not factor in the decision but the freshman righty threw a solid four innings, allowing one run – earned – on two hits, walking two and striking out five.
Connor Smith picked up the win pitching the next two innings, giving up an unearned run on one hit and one walk while striking out three. Olson got the save after a walk and two strikeouts in the seventh.
“Not every inning’s going to be 1-2-3 through the order,” Long said. “I thought they did a really good job of, in the crunch time making big pitches.”
Souderton starter Greyson Norris took the loss, the right-hander allowing three runs – none earned – on four hits, walked three and struck out 10.
Childs said Norris started by throwing strikes but then started missing the strike zone. He mentioned that they had discussed the need for Norris to be more efficient with his pitches, but overall, he was pleased with Norris getting 10 strikeouts in his first game of the season.
The Indians (1-2, 0-2 division) evened the score in the second inning when Joey Nase slid to home plate safely after Tyler Deery hit a ground ball. In the fifth inning, Big Red took a 2-1 lead when Connor Klock hit a ground ball that allowed a runner to score.
Andrew Rendler started the sixth inning with a single, and then Tommy Ginnetti walked, putting two Pennridge players on base with no outs.
Munley, who was hitting third and playing second base due to an injury to shortstop Atchley, laid down a bunt. Souderton decided to throw the ball to third base to get the lead runner out, but the ball went past third base, allowing Rendler to score and tie the game 2-2.
Long mentioned that he always tells the benched players to be prepared when they are called to play. He emphasized the importance of the entire team contributing to winning games, especially in a tough league like theirs.
Gruver, who was running for catcher Ginnetti, advanced to third base and then scored on Gregoire’s groundout in the following at-bat.
Gregoire stated that they are willing to do whatever it takes to win games and be successful in the difficult league they are in. He emphasized that they are prepared to bunt the ball multiple times if that's what it takes to achieve their goals.
In the sixth inning, Souderton’s Joey Nase walked, but then a strikeout and a caught stealing at second base ended the inning.
Pinch hitter Nick Tuccillo started the seventh inning with a walk. Souderton tried to bunt in the next two at-bats, but both ended in strikeouts. Klock walked, putting two Souderton players on base with two outs. However, Olson got the next batter to fly out, securing his save and the Rams’ first Colonial win.
Childs said that his team fought hard and showed energy, but they made a mistake right from the beginning and allowed the other team to score. He acknowledged the need to work on their performance, especially after starting the season 0-2, and expressed confidence in their ability to improve and prepare for a tough week ahead.
Both teams have home division matchups at 3:45 p.m. on Wednesday, April 3 – Souderton will play against North Penn, while Pennridge will face Central Bucks East.
In the first inning, Ginnetti reached base on an error with Munley, who was the courtesy runner, stealing second and then scoring on Atchley's double to left field. Atchley attempted to score after stealing third, and although the ball got past the base, he was thrown out at home for the third out.
Souderton tied the game 1-1 in the second inning. Nase started the inning with a walk, advanced to second on a passed ball, then to third on a groundout. Nase scored on a Deery grounder due to Pennridge's missed throw.
Evan Divens started the fifth inning with a single and an error on a Zack Pollock bunt put two Souderton players on base with no outs. Divens stole third and then scored on Klock’s RBI groundout, putting the Indians in the lead 2-1.
The score is Pennridge 3, Souderton 2.
The score is Pennridge 100 002 0 – 3 5 2.
The score is Souderton 01 001 00 – 2 3 2.
Winning Pitcher: Connor Smith with 2 innings pitched, 1 hit, 1 run (0 earned), 1 walk, and 3 strikeouts.
Losing Pitcher: Greyson Norris with 6 innings pitched, 4 hits, 3 runs (0 earned), 3 walks, and 10 strikeouts.
Save: Ryder Olson with 1 inning pitched, 0 hits, 0 runs (0 earned), 2 walks, and 2 strikeouts.
Doubles: P-Matt Atchley.
