RECAP >> Senior Justus Darville’s bases-loaded walk in the top of the seventh inning broke a 8-8 tie and scored Jude Negron from third with the winning run on Monday afternoon on a cold and blustery day at Whitehall as the Hornets survived the upset-minded Zephyrs in a wild 9-8 contest.
The two teams combined for 17 runs in the marathon game, but it was Emmaus doing all the hitting as they outhit the Zephyrs 12-2.
With the win, the Hornets remained unbeaten on the season as they improved to 4-0 overall and 3-0 in the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference. Whitehall dropped to 2-3 overall and 1-2 in league play.
Emmaus led 1-0 in the top of the first inning on junior Wyatt Henseler’s titantic home run to dead center field, before Whitehall responded with a four-run third inning, keyed by a bases-clearing double from shortstop Shane Fillman who had one of the Zephyrs two hits on the day.
The Hornets responded in the top of the fourth inning and chased Whitehall starter Jake Paashaus as they scored six runs to take a 7-4 lead.
Whitehall wouldn’t go away, however, as they scored a run in the bottom of the fifth and three more in the sixth to tie the game at 8-all before the Hornets won it with a run in the seventh.
Senior first baseman Kellan Tulio was one of four Hornets with multiple hits as he went 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored and two walks. Right fielder Jude Negron, center fielder Brandon Robinson and second baseman Matt Madigan also had two hits in the win. Darville reached base in four out of five plate appearances with four walks.
There were 20 walks issued in the game, 11 by Emmaus pitching.
Starter junior Dylan Lehman lasted just 1 2-3 innings after allowing four runs and issuing five walks. Negron closed out the game in the seventh.
Emmaus will return home to Church Lane Park at 4 p.m. on Wednesday as they take on rival Parkland in a battle of unbeatens.
Catch all the action on www. pennsportsradio.com beginning at 3:45 p.m. with the pregame show.
Em – 100 601 1 – 9-12-3
Wh – 040 013 0 – 8-2-1
Em – Dylan Lehman, Robert Church (2), Jaden Gallagher (6), Jude Negron (7) and Jadon Diaz
Wh – Jake Paashaus, Joe Lisicky (4), Matt Snyder (5) and Adin Hoderewski
WP – Negron (1-0) LP – Snyder