Our very own Dave Byrne was in Landisville on Monday for some L-L League baseball action. In a Section 1-2 crossover game, Hempfield hosted Elizabethtown. Here’s Dave’s story from Tuesday’s New Era:
Hempfield hit the long ball Monday afternoon.
But Elizabethtown had a hit by Long, and that made all the difference.
First baseman Shane Long’s two-run single in the top of the fifth inning was the deciding hit in the Bears’ 9-6 L-L League Section 1-2 crossover game Monday in Landisville.
And Long’s glovework around the bag helped preserve the win for reliever Steve Buller, who worked 3 2/3 innings of three-hit, three-walk ball behind starter Erick Baker to run his overall record to 2-1.
The Bears, meanwhile, bettered their overall record to 8-2 overall and 5-2 in the section, keeping pace with Solanco (also 5-2), one game behind section leader Ephrata (6-1).
“These guys are fighters,” E-town coach Frank Telenko said. “Even when they’re down, they don’t feel like they’re out.”
And down they were after Hempfield erupted for six runs in the home fourth.
Baker, an Old Dominion recruit, carried a no-hitter — and a 5-0 lead — into the fourth inning. But he was well into the 80’s in his pitch count, walking three and hitting two batters, while striking out eight.
Derek Dornes broke up the no-hitter with a leadoff single. Jared Horning doubled him to third and Nate Beck singled them home.
After an out, D.J. Ream doubled in Beck and John Moser ended Baker’s day with a towering two-run homer to right.
Brandon Kline greeted Buller with a solo blast to left, giving Hempfield a 6-5 lead.
It looked like Hempfield had taken control, but the Bears answered in their next at-bat.
Preston Faith singled off losing pitcher Brett Houseal (2-1) to open the E-town fifth. Houseal then hit Buller and walked Andrew Weller to load the bases.
When Houseal bounced his first pitch to Hayden Gerhart past catcher Nate Beck, Hempfield coach Jack Merrifield had seen enough. He pulled Houseal for reliever Michael Shusko, who promptly hit Gerhart on the foot with a 3-1 pitch to force in a run and tie the game.
That brought up Long, a lefty swinger, to the plate in an unfamiliar situation.
“I’m not used to hitting against lefties,” he said. “There aren’t many in the league. I just knew I had to be focused. I watched the ball come in and took my best swing at it.”
His best swing was more than enough. Long cracked a long drive to the warning track in right-center, just beyond the reach of centerfielder Ream to bring in Buller and Weller.
The Bears added another run on Hempfield’s fourth error in the game later in the inning to cap their rally.
“To come back, and pick Erick up, was real important for them today,” Telenko noted.
The Knights’ untimely generosity dug a first-inning hole as three errors greased the path to a 3-0 E-town lead.
“You can’t give them six outs in the first inning,” said Merrifield, lamenting what he called his team’s first defensive meltdown of the year.
“That just kind of set the tone.”
E-town increased its advantage to 5-0 in the second inning on Evan Gallagher’s RBI double and Faith’s groundout.
Baker had a good breaking ball working, but couldn’t seem to keep command of his fastball. When his velocity dropped off, the Knights’ hits dropped in.
Buller restored order after Kline’s homer, scattering four baserunners the rest of the way, creating a conundrum for Telenko.
“He was going to be our starter on Wednesday,” he said. “(But) He was doing so well, we felt like we had to leave him in.”
Which means Buller can’t pitch on Wednesday.
“We’ll shuffle the lineup and see what happens,” Telenko said.
With the loss, Hempfield shuffles three games behind Section 1 leader Manheim Township (7-0) and out of a second-place tie with Warwick (5-2).
“Defense was the name of the game tonight,” Merrifield said. “We just didn’t play it.”
