NTL BASEBALL: STRONG PITCHING, DEFENSE LEAD WYALUSING TO DISTRICT WIN (2022-05-21)

Northern Tier Sports Report
WYALUSING — Blake Morningstar and Hunter House combined to throw a 2-hit shutout as Wyalusing defeated Line Mountain 3-0 during the Class AA, District IV quarterfinals Saturday.

Morningstar went 4 1/3-innings, striking out nine while allowing one hit, and two walks, while House went the final 2 2/3-innings, striking out three with one hit, and two walks.

“Blake didn’t have his best stuff today, but still pitched 4 1/3-shutout innings,” said coach Nick Vanderpool. “Hunter House was clutch again, he got eight huge outs for us. It was the first home playoff game for us in a while so the boys were amped up.”

They also had a solid defense behind them, as the Rams didn’t record an error.

“Our defense played lights out,” remarked Vanderpool.

Wyalusing took the lead with a run in the third, then added two more in the fourth for the 3-0 win.

Nick Vanderpool Jr. went 2-for-3 with a run scored, and an RBI for the Rams, while Hunter Moss (1-for-3), Morningstar (1-for-3), and Kevin VanDeMark (1-for-2) also had hits. Morningstar and C.J. Carr both notched an RBI, while Trehnon Hugo, and VanDeMark each scored.

“We left a few guys on base in big spots,” Vanderpool remarked. “We’ve got to start getting those guys in. Morningstar and Vanderpool had some huge hits for us. Kevin VanDeMark started the 2-run rally in the fourth. Carr had a big sac fly, Hugo made a great play to seal the win.”

In the bottom of the third Hugo record on an error, then scored on a 2-out hit from Morningstar to make it 1-0.

In the fourth Vanderpool brought in VanDeMark with a hit. Two batters later Carr drove in VanDeMark with a sacrifice fly.

The Rams will now play South Williamsport on Tuesday, at a time and date to be determined. The winner will advance to the title game on Saturday at Bowman Field with an 11 a.m. start.

“A total team effort, but we’ve got some work to do,” said Vanderpool. “But we will be ready Tuesday.”

PHOTO CAPTION: Wyalusing’s Kevin VanDeMark rounds third base…PHOTOS BY LANCE LARCOM