Bethany 2 La Roche 1
Tre Thomas was dominant over the early part of the game, tossing perfect innings in the first, second, and third innings. Bethany struck for a run in the fourth inning.
Thomas came back and sent Bethany down in order in the fifth. The Redhawks offense backed him with a run in the bottom of the fifth. Jay Novak reached on an error and Brandon Nania sent a double to the left field gap to to score Novak.
Thomas continued to dominate with perfect sixth and seventh innings. He kept them off the board in the eighth but a bunt and error allowed Bethany to take the lead in the ninth. Relief pitcher Mike Nuzzo limited the damage leaving runners on second and third base.
The Redhawks left a runner on in the bottom of the ninth and Bethany held on.
Thomas went 8 innings and allowed just one run on one hit.
La Roche 3 Bethany 2
Joe Professori caught a runner trying to steal second in the first inning. Tristan Tinney singled and stole second base in the second, but a strikeout left him stranded in scoring position.
Hoffman made a great play to end the top of the third. The Redhawks left runners at the corners to end the third and Bethany scored on an error in the fourth. Holman used a 4-6-3 double play to end the top of the fourth.
Holman then got a strike out to leave a runner on second in the fifth inning.
La Roche backed Holman with a run in the bottom of the fifth. Kifer got on with a two-out hit and took second on a wild pitch. Hoffman then drove a single up the middle to score Kifer.
Novak came up with the big hit in the seventh. Professori led off the inning with a single through the left side before Novak drove him home.
Bethany tied it in the seventh. Tre Cunningham got out of jam in the top of the eighth and then pitched a perfect ninth, setting La Roche up for the win.
Melendez led off the ninth with a single and advanced to second on a Rogers sac bunt. Kifer then came through, sending a sharp ground ball to short and scoring Melendez.
Holman allowed just two runs over seventh innings. Cunningham followed with two scoreless innings to earn his first career win.