RECAP >> Rivals Emmaus and Parkland met four times a season ago with the Trojans winning twice by shutout during the regular-season and the Hornets winning the all-important post-season matchups, 9-6 in the EPC semifinals and 7-6 in the District XI championship game.
As the schedule worked out this year, the two will face each other twice in the span of five days.
Yesterday at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Round 1 went to Emmaus.
Backed by a stellar performance on the mound from staff ace senior Luke Deschenes, the Hornets scored all the runs they would need in the third inning as they held on for a 3-2 victory over the Trojans.
Deschenes gutted out 7 2-3 innings on the mound to earn the victory (6-1) and then classmate Colin Foley came on in the bottom of the seventh to earn the save as he got Sean Superka to fly out to left on the first pitch he saw to end the game as Parkland left the bases loaded.
The victory moves Emmaus into sole possesion of second place in the EPC (12-2) and improves their overall record to 14-3 after earning their third straight win against their arch-rival. Parkland dropped to 10-3 in the league 11-5 overall.
Senior third baseman Tyler LePage led the offensive attack going 2-for-4 at the plate with an RBI and run scored. Senior catcher Dom Chiego was 1-for-3 with RBI and junior left fielder Zach McEllroy wound up driving in the game-winning run with an RBI flyout in the third.
Parkland was led by senior first baseman Luke Meehan who went 2-for-3. Junoir catcher Matt Razzis had two-run RBI double in the sixth as the Trojans cut the Emmaus lead to 3-2. On the mound, junior Owen Delong was the tough-luck loser as he suffered his first loss of the season (3-1) in the complete-game effort. The right-hander scattered five hits, struck out five and issued just one walk.
Round 2 between the two rivals will be on Thursday at 4 p.m. at Church Lane Park. The game will be broadcasted LIVE on www.easternpasportsnetwork.com beginning at 4 p.m.
Emmaus will return to action at 4 p.m. on Tuesday as they host Allen.
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Emmaus 3, Parkland 2
Em – 003 000 0 – 3-5-0
Pa – 000 020 0 – 2-7-1
Luke Deschenes, Colin Foley (7) and Dom Chiego; Owen Delong and Matt Razzis. WP – Deschenes (6-1), LP – Delong (3-1), S – Foley (1)
2B – Lepage 2, Superka, Meehan