By Jacob Gill
Philadelphia Region Director of Scouting

Pennridge Rams 11, La Salle Explorers 4

Pennridge scored early and often, posting four crooked numbers on the strength of 19 hits (all singles), as they eliminated the defending champion in the AAAA state tournament opening round. The Rams move on to face Wyoming Valley West, a 2-0 victor over Exeter Township, in the quarterfinal round on Thursday, June 6 at 4:00pm at Parkland HS in Allentown.

With two out and none on in the top of the first, 2015 2B David Tatoian and 2013 C Mike Kacergis (DeSales) notched back-to-back singles and moved up a base each on a wild pitch. 2013 OF AJ Molettiere was called safe on a bang-bang play at first base while a courtesy runner came around to score all the way from second to give Pennridge a quick 2-0 lead. That lead swelled to 4-0 in the third as Molettiere and 2014 DH Tyler Shoultes notched RBI. Four straight hits from the top of the order in the fourth inning ignited a three-run outburst, which included Molettiere's fourth RBI of the game.

Meanwhile, 2013 RHP Evan Myers was tossing up zeros, although it wasn't all smooth sailing. La Salle had multiple men on base in each of the first two innings, but had a runner thrown out at the plate on a beautiful one-hop strike to the catcher from 2015 CF Danny Shane (right) in the first, and left runners on 2nd and 3rd in the second. Myers pitched over an error in the third and a walk in the fourth before the Explorers, aided by a couple of defensive miscues, touched him for four runs in the bottom of the fifth, the big blow being a 2-RBI single from 2014 C Nick Dermo.

Pennridge responded immediately with a 4-spot of its own to provide the final margin and 2014 RHP Eric Wesolowski took it from there, shutting down La Salle over the last two frames.

Prospects to Watch

For Pennridge, leadoff-man Shane (3-for-5, R, RBI) and 3-hole hitter Tatoian (3-for-5, 3 R) showed themselves to be young players to monitor in the coming years. Despite his small stature, the bat-right, throw-left Shane (listed at 5-foot-6, 130-pounds) showed good arm strength and accuracy, while also taking quality swings throughout the game. He stayed inside the ball, ran the bases aggressively, showed slightly above average speed, and tracked the ball well in the outfield. Tatoian has some strength in his 5-foot-10, 180-pound frame. The right-handed hitter stroked line drive singles to both the pull- and opposite-field, while also mixing in a drag bunt down the third base line.

Another bat-right, throw-left outfielder is athletic La Salle 2015 Jimmy Herron, who barreled the baseball in all four of his at-bats. Herron is a three-sport star who is an above average runner and has shown a knack for finding his way on base.

See the Pennsylvania Scouting Blog for more detailed notes and measureables.

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