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Central PA Notebook (April 22 - April 28)

April 29, 2013

By Jacob Oswalt
Central PA Area Scout

Co-Game of the Week:  Richland 7, Bedford 6

Richland overcame deficits of 4-0 and 6-3 in the 6th and 7th innings to win 7-6 in a wild and dramatic comeback victory over Bedford.

For a complete recap of this game CLICK HERE.

Co-Game of the Week:  AAA #13 somerset 6, Hollidaysburg 5 (9 inn.)

In a possible District 6 AAA championship game preview, Somerset (9-2) scored two runs in the bottom of the ninth to give Hollidaysburg (7-2) its second consecutive loss of the season. Somerset led 4-0 after four innings thanks to a two-run opposite field home run to right by junior catcher Tanner Stull, who had three RBI in the game. The Golden Tigers scored two runs each in the 5th and 6th innings to tie the game at four.

VCU recruit Ian Stiffler went five innings, striking out ten, giving up eight hits and four earned runs for Somerset. Stiffler only gave up one hit through four innings and struck out nine. Senior lefty James Brewer got the win after four solid innings in relief, giving up one run on one hit and striking out three. An Adam Fluke RBI single gave Hollidaysburg a 5-4 lead in the ninth before Somerset rallied in the bottom half of the inning. Drew Hemminger’s grounder to shortstop scored the winning run with one out. Hemminger finished 2-for-5 with two doubles and two RBI. Somerset’s Alex Dirienzo went 3-for-4 with a double and three runs scored. Fluke and Pitt recruit Brett Hileman each had two hits, with Hileman adding a double. Eric Miller hit a two-run home run for Hollidaysburg.

The victory was Somerset head coach Steve Costea’s 300th career win at Somerset, dating back to 1993. Costea has led Somerset to 12 Laurel Highlands Athletic Conference titles, two District 6 Class AAA championships and finished as the state runner-up in 2008.

top hitting performances of the week

  • Bishop Carroll Sophomore Brandon Martinazzi went 2-for-4 with three runs scored, a three-run home run and six RBI in a 22-10 5-inning victory Monday over Glendale.
  • Cambria Heights’ Brett Sammarco went 4-for-4 with 4 RBI to lead his team over Forest Hills by a 13-1 score on Monday.
  • Forest Hills sophomore Alex Murphy went 3-for-3 against Bishop McCort in a 4-1 loss on Tuesday facing tough lefty Nathan Neiderheiser.
  • North Star’s Tony Strasiser went 6-for-6 on Saturday in the Boswell Area Jaycees Tournament and was named MVP of the tournament. The senior scored three times and hit two triples and a double. On Thursday, Straiser had a four-hit game, including a triple, in an 11-2 victory over Conemaugh Township.
  • Cambria Heights’ Tyler Crawford went 4-for-4 with a two-run home run in Tuesday’s 17-0 win over Westmont.
  • Ross DirienzoSomerset junior Ross Dirienzo went 4-for-5 with a home run, two runs scored and 4 RBI as the Golden Eagles beat Bishop Guilfoyle 13-3 on Tuesday.
  • Richland’s Tyler Mikesic went 4-for-4 with two doubles and three RBI in a thrilling 7-6 comeback victory over Bedford.
  • Windber’s Shawn Keyser went 4-for-4 with 6 RBI in a comeback 8-7 victory over Shanksville. Keyser drove in three with a double in the bottom of the 7th to tie the game at seven.
  • Richland’s David Barefoot was named Homer-Center Boosters Tournament MVP on Saturday. The senior shortstop went 3-for-4 in the championship and also had two hits in the first game of the day.
  • Central’s Ethan Lewis went 4-for-4 with two triples and 5 RBI in a 14-4 victory over Penns Valley on Thursday.
  • Claysburg-Kimmel’s Devin Weyandt went 2-for-4 with two runs, a triple, a home run and 3 RBI in a 9-3 win over West Branch.

top pitching performances of the week

  • Heights’ Andrew Brawley threw a one-hitter, striking out seven and only walking one in a 13-1 victory over Forest Hills on Monday afternoon.
  • Harmony’s Brandon Fox struck out 19 batters in a 2-1 victory over Blacklick Valley on Monday afternoon.
  • Portage’s Luke Dividock threw a four-hitter, striking out eight and walking none in a complete game shutout over Conemaugh Township 3-0.
  • Pitt-Johnstown recruit Brantley Rice struck out 13 in a 5-inning 14-2 win over Blacklick Valley on Tuesday.
  • Cambria Heights’ Nathan Bearer threw a 4-inning no-hitter, striking out seven in a 17-0 win over Westmont.
  • Dan BowmanCentral Cambria’s Dan Bowman struck out 10 and only allowed three hits in a 3-1 victory over cross-town rival Bishop Carroll on Thursday.
  • Portage sophomore RHP Michael Bryja threw a three-hit shutout on only 80 pitches while striking out two in a 6-0 victory over Ferndale on Thursday.
  • Bishop Guilfoyle RHP Jextin Pugh struck out 19 and only gave up just four hits in a 6-2 victory over Penn Cambria on Thursday.

games to watch this week

  • 4/29  Tyrone at Richland

  •   5/2  Somerset at Bishop McCort

  •   5/2  North Star at Portage

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