UNION CITY – A little magic from two ends helped the Youngsville Eagles continue a flawless start into the 2023 season.
The Eagles (5-0) scored four runs with two outs in the top of the fifth inning and held off a Union City rally late during a 7-5 win Wednesday at Union City High School.
“Both Ethan (Saines) and Whit (Dalrymple) racked up big time at the bottom of the standings today,” said Youngsville coach Eddie Duronda. “David (Manning) threw the ball well and got tired there at the end, but he was able to get the job done.”
Youngsville was able to crack the scoreboard first, scoring a run in the top of the first inning. James Johnson singled to start the game and eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by Nathan Lacks.
Union City responded big in the bottom of the first, starting the game with three straight hits and eventually scoring three runs to take a 3-1 lead going into the second inning.
This score held until the third period when Youngsville was able to cut the lead at the inning 3-2. Talon Meisel led the inning with one out and stole a second before advancing to third after being knocked out. Johnson followed it up by hitting the ball hard to the shortstop. A late throw home and Mesell managed to score and make it a game one.
The Eagles’ breakthrough came in the top of the fifth inning, though it didn’t seem like anything special early on.
Dalrymple hit between a pair of jabs, but Senz was able to put in a great putt with two outs and hit the putt first. Johnson was next and smashed a single between right and center fielders to score both Dalrymple and Saines, giving Youngsville a good 4-3 lead.
Not satisfied yet, Youngsville added a fifth run on an RBI double from Matt DeSimone and the sixth on an RBI hit by the Lucks.
An insurance run in the top of the seventh inning was added on an RBI bunt single by Senz.
It was almost too important.
Manning issued a walk to start the seventh and Union City narrowed the lead to 7–4 on an RBI triple off Lucas Dott. After a first out in the bottom of the seventh, Doutt was brought home on a sacrifice fly that made it 7-5.
With two outs, the Bears tied on back-to-back singles to bring the potential win to the plate. However, Manning got the batter to fly out to DeSimone at center to end the game.
Manning pitched a complete game, allowing four earned runs on nine hits. He struck out seven and walked only one. Johnson continued his strong pace to start 2023 with three strikes, and Sens, Dalrymple and Lacks added two strikes each.
Youngsville will try to make it 6-for-6 on Friday when they host the Rocky Grove Orioles at Davis Street Field in Youngsville.
Maclane Fall Warnings
EDINBORO — Three unearned runs helped pass General McClain Warren, 6-4, Wednesday in a District 5 baseball game at General McClain Stadium.
The Dragons and Lancers each scored two runs in the first inning, and Warren took a 3-2 lead in the third before having trouble in the bottom of the fourth.
All three runs in the fourth were unearned. said Warren coach Andrew Morrison. “We missed a ground ball, and let the runner get to the decisive hit. … We threw the pick-off away too; that set play was my call, so that was on me.”
After trailing 6-3 in the seventh inning, the Dragons added a run, but fell to 2-2 overall and 1-1 in territory.
“Our rackets weren’t up to the standard we want them to be today,” Morrison said. “We let a lot of fasts past us that put us up in a tough fight. We let two guys in sixth and one in seventh, (so) we had chances.”
Ben Sawa was 3-for-3 with three runs scored from the lead. Brady Bearden was 2-for-3, and Eric Dippold had a hit and two RBIs for the Dragons.
“Ben Sowa had a great game again, being on base all four times,” Morrison said. “He’s doing great at every stage now.
“Credit to GM (3-0); they took the hits at the right time and walked us just once.” Morrison added. “They did a good job putting the ball into play and getting Brady (Birden) to work.”
Berdine started and pitched 5.1 innings, allowing six hits, three walks and two strikeouts while striking out six. Only three of the six runs he allowed were earned.
“We have to recover quickly and prepare for Friday Currie,” Morrison said. “They’re the closest thing we get to a geographical competitor. It’s an area game, too. We’ll be ready to go.”
The Knights win at Rocky Grove
FRANKFURT – Eisenhower hit the road to Rocky Grove and it was well worth the trip as the Knights got their first win of the season, defeating the Orioles 5-4.
The seventh inning was a tense affair as the Orioles were loading the bases with two outs and landing a run when Eisenhower second baseman Johnny Palmieri played a great play on a hard ball and flipped it over to the first baseman for the win.
Kael Hunt went the distance on the mound, allowing nine hits, four runs, and striking out five.
Cole Kellogg led the Knights offensively as he had one hit, directed a walk and had an RBI; Hunt was 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI; and Camron Jakubczack, Childs, and Aaden Nichols also had RBIs.
“It was a tough game by both teams,” Eisenhower coach said Clinton Kors. “Rocky Grove is always tough. Our boys never give up and I’m proud of the way they’ve been playing lately.
“I thought Garrett Jensen called a great game at catcher for us, and Hunt just threw a nice game. I have to give a shout out to senior Brok English. He was our vocal leader today, and the last one Palmieri pulled out was just a play.”
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John Sittler and Steve Younger contributed to this report.