RECAP >> Emmaus jumped on visiting Pocono Mountain West for four early runs and never looked back as the Hornets rolled to a 10-2 win in yesterday’s District Xi Class 6A quarterfinal round game played at Church Lane Park.
The victory advances top-seeded Emmaus (19-5 overall) to the semifinal round at 4 p.m. Thursday back at home against fifth-seeded Easton, which defeated Pleasant Valley, the No.4 seed, 13-5. The game will be carried LIVE on The Eastern Pa. Sports Network beginning with the pregame show at 3:45 p.m.
The Hornets had one of their best hitting days of the season as they banged out 13 hits against two Panthers pitchers. Junior catcher Dom Chiego drove in a game-high three runs and went 2-for-4 at the plate, junior left fielder Jaden Gallagher was also 2-for-4 with two RBI, including his third home run of the season in the bottom of the first inning, junior shortstop Anthony Viola also had two hits and scored two runs, and senior second baseman Andrew O’Brien was also 2-for-3.
Starter Luke Deschenes picked up the win on the mound. The hard-throwing right-hander went three innings of work and allowed just one hit while striking out four. Junior Colin Foley came in relief and scattered five hits in innings four through six, and senior Braden Waller closed it out in the seventh and retired all three batters he faced.
Pocono Mountain West, the No.8 seed, ended its season at 9-11. The Panthers were led by junior third baseman Justin Weirich, freshman shortstop Ryder Bray and and senior second baseman Josh Kalinock who all had two hits.
In the other quarterfinal round matchups, No.2 Liberty defeated No.7 Northampton 10-2 and No.3 Parkland blanked No.6 Nazareth 4-0. Liberty will host Parkland in the other semifinal on Thursday.
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PMW – 001 001 0 – 2-7-4
EM – 413 002 x – 10-13-2
Matt Marinovich, James Dunham (4) and Ian McHugh ; Luke Deschenes, Colin Foley (4), Braden Waller (7) and Dom Chiego. WP – Deschenes (7-2), LP – Marinovich. HR – Em: Gallagher (solo 1st)