Lincoln (RI) 5, South Burlington (VT) 2
Baseball is the greatest sport because games can change on one pitch, play, or inning and you may not realize it until after the game is over.
On Thursday, it was obvious which pitch changed the game in the first of the New England semifinals. It was the first pitch to big Stevie Andrews in the fifth inning. Vermont starter, Ben Tate, was incredible through 4 2/3 innings, but Rhode Island's tough lineup battled throughout and worked the pitch count. His last pitch induced an infield pop up with South Burlington holding a 2-1 lead. The next pitch from his relief was driven 285 feet to dead centerfield for a three-run home run.
Lincoln's ace, Kyle Marrapese allowed two runs on three hits in the first two innings of work before striking out 12 batters over 5 1/3 innings to pick up the victory. Zarek Larisa picked up the save by getting the final two outs of the game.
Max Plunkett led the first inning off with a single to start South Burlington. Chance O'Connor ripped a double to give Vermont a 1-0 lead. In the second inning, Sammy Premsagar crushed a fastball over the fence in right field to give South Burlington a 2-0 lead. Marrapese settled in nicely after that by striking out his next four batters.
Lincoln got on the board in the fourth inning with a double by Andrews and an RBI single by Blake Zaniol.
Lincoln will have a couple options on the mound for the championship game on Saturday night at 7 p.m. It will be tough going without Marrapese.
Westport (CT) 3, Saco (ME) 0
This one ended up closer than expected, but it didn't start that way. Chris Drbal started the game off with a single and Max Popken blasted a two-run home run to deep left field for a quick 2-0 lead. Westport added a third run in the second inning with a bunt single by Ricky Offenberg and an RBI from Drbal.
Westport hasn't gotten this far with its bats though. The boys from Connecticut rely on their pitching and defense and Harry Azadian didn't disappoint. The crisp right-hander threw a shut out over 4 2/3 innings with seven strikeouts and just four hits. He was efficient as usual with just 34 pitches through his first three innings.
Westport had the chance to possibly pull Azadian to be available for the final, but smartly went for the sure win. In the fifth inning, Azadian started getting into deeper counts, allowed a single, and then a walk. Connecticut wasted no time going to its second ace, Chad Knight who was perfect against Saco during pool play. For 1 1/3 innings more, he continued to be perfect and locked up a championship berth for Westport. He'll get the start on Saturday.
Saco, on the other hand, was impressive all game. Maine had a chance for a big inning in the first after Timmy Ryan led off with a bloop single. Anthony Bracamonte drove a ball hard into the gap during the next at bat, but Charlie Roof made one of the top two plays of the entire week. Roof laid out to his left and made a diving catch. Smith, who assumed the ball was going into the gap was already around second base. Roof promptly doubled him up at first base. It was a big momentum shift.
Brogan Searle-Belanger was 2-for-3 with two doubles and also threw a runner out trying to take second base. Saco finished 1-4, but wow were they a tough 1-4.
Mid-Atlantic Semifinal Previews
No. 3 Capitol City (DC) (2-2) vs. No. 2 Newark National (DE) (3-1)
Newark National in its third straight summer as the Delaware state champion continues to impress during pool play. They're now 10-2 in the last three years during the week. Now, they need to put it together during the championship round.
Neither Newark nor Cap City have their aces available in the semifinal. The most likely starters will be Collin Bosley-Smith (DC) and Joe Davis (DE).
Capitol City has relied on the monster bats at the top and bottom of the order. Isaac Frumkin and Robert Reynolds have torn it up. Frumkin hits every ball on the screws and Reynolds is seven for his last eight with three home runs. Aaron "cracker" Rosenthal is the spark plug at the bottom of the order. He was 4-for-4 in the dominant win over Burnt Hills (NY).
Delaware has power throughout the line up with Davis leading the way. Nate Hardcastle has the ability to hit the ball 300 feet, but hasn't hit a home run this week. Younger brother Jack ripped one in the final victory over New Jersey.
Capitol City has led in all four games and has an explosive offense. I've picked Capitol City to lose every game. They've actually been the most impressive team in the regional so far. I think Newark is a team of destiny this year. They made the semifinal round two years ago and the championship last year. I think they might win it all this year.
Interesting Stat: Capitol City leads the entire East Region in batting average (.366) and hits (41).
Prediction: Newark National 8, Capitol City 5
No. 4 Berlin (MD) (2-2) vs. No. 1 Lionville (PA) (4-0)
This is one of those games that could go one of many different ways. Lionville is the team with pure talent. You can see it when they walk on the field and you'll see it on the mound with Michael Rodriguez (most likely). Berlin has the region's best overall player in Tristan McDonough and a team that just plays really well together.
Hayden Snelsire will be back on the mound and he isn't dominant, but man he can pitch. Berlin likes to use him for four or five innings usually and bring McDonough in to close. McDonough isn't available though. If Rodriguez can keep McDonough's bat in the ball park and throw strikes, I think Lionville will get to Berlin late in the game and pull out the victory.
Connor Kalten has been on fire at the plate for Pennsylvania. Lionville will need Joe Janick's offense to come around to get to Williamsport, however.
Interesting Stat: Lionville's staff WHIP is a robust 1.75. That's got to come down.
Prediction: Lionville (PA) 5, Berlin (MD) 2
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