Barons’ pitcher talks about wild win over Donegal … and believing

For Casey Ebersole, it was all about believing.

Manheim Central’s ace righty got knocked around a bit over the first three innings in Wednesday’s District 3 Triple-A semifinal game against L-L League foe Donegal at Manheim Township.

The Indians roughed up Ebersole for five runs on seven hits in the first three frames and led 5-0.

But Ebersole and his Barons’ teammates kept plugging – and kept believing.

On the mound, Ebersole settled in and allowed just four hits over the final four innings and, more importantly, kept Donegal off the scoreboard.

Ebersole also helped out with his bat, rapping a 2-run triple to help get Central’s amazing 11-run seventh-inning rally started, as the Barons came all the way back from a 5-0 hole and stunned Donegal 15-5 to punch their ticket into the district championship game.

Ebersole fanned four and walked three in earning the victory on the bump. He also went 3-for-5 at the plate, with a pair of singles, the aforementioned triple, he stole a base and scored a pair of runs.

After the game, Ebersole said that just before Central’s seventh-inning onslaught he reminded his teammates to believe that they could cap the rally.

The Barons, who are the No. 16 seed in the bracket, have been underdogs throughout the district tournament; they knocked off No. 1 seed Northeastern in the first round, No. 8 Hershey in the quarterfinals and No. 5 Donegal in the semis.

I chatted with Ebersole after the crazy win over the Indians, and we talked about the comeback, how the Barons continue to amaze, about reaching the district finals, and about, well, believing.

You can listen to the interview by clicking on the ‘play’ button above.

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