An early three-run deficit didn’t faze the two-time defending EPC champs in their opening-round Eastern Pennsylvania Conference quarterfinal round match against Pocono Mountain East as Emmaus rallied for a 6-4 victory on Thursday at home at Church Lane Park.
Senior pitcher Ryan Latchford shined in the win for the Hornets as he threw five scoreless innings in relief to lead Emmaus, which snapped a two-game losing streak and put an end to the Cardinals six-game win streak. For his efforts, Latchford was named the SportClips Player of the Game on the Live broadcast on The Eastern Pa. Sports Network.
With the victory, the fourth-seeded Hornets (13-7) advance to the semifinals on Monday at 7 p.m. at Weiland Park at DeSales University to take on rival and top-seeded Parkland, which handled Pleasant Valley 11-1. The other semifinal at 4 p.m. will feature second-seeded Liberty, a 12-2 winner of seventh-seeded Bethlehem Catholic, taking on No.3 Nazareth who defeated No.6 Northampton 6-1.
After trailing 4-1 heading to the bottom of the third inning, Emmaus outscored the Cardinals 5-0 the rest of the way and they did it despite being outhit by Pocono Mountain East 7-4 in the game.
Senior first baseman Zach McEllroy and junior left fielder Colin Wilson each had a hit an RBI in the game for Emmaus. Junior shortstop Cohen Schadler also had a hit and drove in a run and reached base in all three of his plate appearances.
Pocono Mountain East (14-6) was led by senior first baseman Evan Schmelz who went 2-for-3 with an RBI. Schmelz was the losing pitcher after coming in relief of starter senior Gavin Sopko, a East Stroudsburg University commit, who went just three innings giving up three runs on three hits and issuing four walks.
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Emmaus 6, PM East 4
PME – 031 000 0 – 4-7-2
Em – 012 201 x – 6-4-2
Gavin Sopko, Evan Schmelz (4), Adam Horvath (6) and Michael Price; TJ Geist, Ryan Latchford (2) and Dayne Schmidt. WP – Latchford, LP – Schmelz
PHOTO GALLERY (Courtesy of Nathan Lewis)
