Through the first eight games of the Lehigh Valley Legion season, it’s been no secret the struggles Lower Macungie hitters have had at the plate.
Heading into this week’s action, head coach Jeff Smith’s team had scored a grand total of 19 runs, including scoring three or fewer runs in six of its games.
On Monday night at Orefield Middle School, the bats finally came alive in a big way as Lower Mac nearly equaled its entire-run total for the season.
Center fielder Brandon Robinson had a huge night going 4-for-5 with three runs scored, first baseman Brian Horoshko drove in three runs, and that was more than enough offense as Lower Mac pounded out 14 hits and had an easy time in rolling to a 14-0 win over rival North Parkland in a game that was stopped after six innings due to the 10-run rule.
That offensive performance – by far the best of the season for Lower Mac – gave their sixth-year head coach plenty of reason to smile afterwards. Add in a masterful one-hitter on the mound from Braden Waller who was making his first start of the season, and it was surely a night to celebrate.
“That’s the first time I’ve seen Braden pitch and hopefully I’ll get to see him pitch another 20 years,” said Smith of Waller who shined in his recently-completed sophomore season on the high school team.” “He’s the real deal. More important, he’s a great kid and a complete player. “
“The big thing for me tonight also, aside from getting to see Braden pitch, and he was as good as advertised, was that the bats came alive. We got a little confidence and that goes a long way. Also, it’s always nice to beat North Parkland. When you can get away with something like this, it’s rare, really rare.”
Lower Mac was also able to gain a bit of revenge after falling to the same North Parkland team three weeks ago in a 6-1 loss at Church Lane Park.
The win snapped a two-game losing streak and helped Lower Mac improve to 3-6 on the season. Currently, they are tied with rival Emmaus in the league standings for the seventh spot with eight teams qualifying for the playoffs. Lower Mac has already beaten Emmaus once this season and will be looking for the season-sweep when the two teams meet again on Thursday at Church Lane Park. The game will be carried Live on www.pennsportsradio.com beginning with the pregame show at 5:45 p.m.
Lower Mac had no trouble against the Buffaloes as 10 of the 11 players that saw action had at least one hit in the win.
“Nearly everybody had a hit tonight and that has happened all year,” said Smith. “Everybody contributed and it was a complete team win.”
The onslaught began in the top of the first inning as Lower Mac scored three runs and sent nine men to the plate against North Parkland starter Joe Algard. The right-hander struggled in his brief appearance as he was pulled after three innings when Lower Mac was able to extend its lead to 7-0 with a three-run fourth inning.
Reliever Ryan Correll didn’t fare any better as Lower Mac blew the game wide open in the sixth inning, sending 12 men to plate and scoring seven runs.
Right fielder Everett Horton had the big hit in the inning blasting his first home run of the season, a three-run shot to center. Horoshko added a two-run double.
While Correll struggled, Waller had no trouble in mowing down the North Parkland lineup. The lefty gave up an infield single to lead-off hitter catcher Austin Imler in the bottom of the first inning and the retired the next 15 batters — nine by strikeout. Waller had at least two strikeouts in all but one of the five innings he pitched.
“I’ve seen some good pitchers and that kid has a future if he stays healthy and humble, he’s got the humble part down,” said Smith. “I’m really proud of what he did tonight.”
Lower Mac returned to action last night at home and defeated Coplay for the second time this season 9-8. Catcher Jaden Diaz had a monster game going 2-for-3 with six RBI, including knocking in the game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning after Coplay had rallied with a four-run fifth to tie the game at 8-8.
Lower Mac – 301 307 0 – 14-14-0
North Parkland – 000 000 x – 0-1-2
Braden Waller (5 IP, 1 H, 9 K), Jaime Hamilton (1 IP, 2 K) and Jadon Diaz
Joe Algard 3 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 2 BB), Sergio Rodriguez (1 IP, 1K), Ryan Correll (2 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 1 BB) and Austin Imler
WP – Waller (1-0), LP – Algard
LV Standings (Top 8 qualify for playoffs) — South Parkland 8-0, North Parkland 7-3, Carbon 4-3, Salisbury 4-4-1, Coplay 3-4-1, Northern Valley 3-4, LOWER MAC 3-6, EMMAUS 3-6, Allentown 2-7