Emmaus 5, Nazareth 4 (Thurs)
The Hornets used a three-run sixth inning to break a 2-2 tie as they hung on for a 5-4 season-opening road win at Nazareth on Thursday afternoon.
Nine different players had at least one hit in the game for head coach Jeremy Haas’ squad that started its season 1-0.
As a team, Emmaus banged out 12 hits in the game. Designated hitter senior Robbie Barnes led the way with a 3-for-3 effort at the plate, while senior first baseman Chase Simmons was 2-for-3 with two RBI. Senior centerfielder Connor Horwath, senior pitcher Cole Moreau and junior shortstop Josh Diaz each had a hit and an RBI in the victory.
On the mound, senior Jaden Betz picked up the win in relief of Moreau, who allowed just one run in four innings of work. Betz (1-0) allowed three runs in three innings of work, while striking out five. Both pitchers combined to issue 11 walks in the game.
Nazareth (0-1) managed just five hits in the game. Ethan Strawn was the only player with multiple hits going 2-for-4 with a double and an RBI.
Starter Zak Novak allowed two runs on five hits while striking out six before giving way to Bobby Grzenda who suffered the loss. Grzenda was touched up for three runs on seven hits in just two innings.
Em – 110 003 0 – 5-12-0
Naz – 000 112 0 – 4-5-0
Em – Cole Moreau, Jaden Betz (5) and Drayce Schmidt; Naz – Zak Novak, Bobby Grzenda (5), Chase Biedermann (7) and Nick McCartney. WP – Betz (1-0), LP – Grzenda (0-1)
Blue Mt. 11, Emmaus 0 (Fri)
One day after winning on the road at Nazareth, the Hornets were right back at it 24 hours later as they made the long trip to Orwigsburg to face perennial Schuylkill League power Blue Mountain.
A year ago, it was Emmaus that defeated the Eagles in their season opener 6-3.
This time, however, it was all Blue Mountain in their season debut as they rolled to a 11-0 win in a game that was halted after five innings due to the 10-run rule.
Eagles starting pitcher senior Evan Setlock was dominant on the mound tossing a three-hitter, while his offense pounded out nine hits off of four Emmaus pitchers.
Freshman right fielder Sonny Amato led the Blue Mountain offense with three hits, while Setlock and junior third baseman Frankie Russo each had two hits.
For Emmaus, first baseman Chase Simmons, designated hitter Cole Moreau and third baseman Drayce Schmidt each had one hit.
Starter Robbie Barnes suffered the loss on the mound after giving up five runs on three hits in 1 1/3 innings of work.
Emmaus will return to action on Monday at 4 p.m. as they travel to Lehigh Carbon Community College to take on Allentown Central Catholic. The game will be carried LIVE on The Eastern Pa. Sports Network.
Em – 000 00 – 0-3-3
Blue – 161 3x – 11-8-2
Em – Robbie Barnes, Dylan Freed (2), Ryan Hummel (3), Connor Horwath (4) and John Kelly; BM – Evan Setlock and Riley Sebastian. LP – Barnes (0-1)