RECAP >> With an early 9 a.m. start time Saturday morning, the last thing that Jeff Smith wanted to think about was his scheduled starting pitcher showing up late.
As turns out, it may have been the best thing that could have happened.
With starter Joe Marrero scratched, Lower Mac’s sixth-year manager was forced just minutes before its game with rival Emmaus to make a last-minute change on the mound.
Insert Brendan Lynch.
Good move.
In his second start of the season, Lynch tossed five strong innings and his teammates backed his performance by banging out 10 hits as Lower Mac built as much as a four-run lead before hanging on late for a 5-4 win over their crosstown neighbors at historic Limeport Stadium.
The victory by Lower Mac was its fourth straight over Emmaus since 2017 and its third straight one-run win in the series, including last year’s doubleheader sweep at Community Park (1-0 and 2-1).
Lower Mac, which started the season 0-3, has now won two of its last three games in improving to 2-4, while Emmaus dropped its second game in as many days as they dropped to 2-4.
“I’m very happy about the win,” said Smith. “Once again we didn’t have our whole team here today. We have three guys missing (Brandon Robinson, Braden Waller and Brian Horoshko) with the Lehigh Valley Carpenter Cup team playing and I’m also without two players to senior week.
“These kids stepped up today. Marrero unfortunately got delayed and couldn’t get here on time, but Lynch pitched fantastic. Hats off to him. He’s the MVP of the day for sure.”
Lynch, a 2018 graduate of Emmaus, gave his coach every reason to smile.
The right-hander, who gave up five runs in just 2 2/3 innings of work in his first start of the season in a 6-0 loss to Carbon back on May 31, had arguably the best game of his legion career as he gave up just a pair of runs, scattering five hits and walking just one.
“When he gets on a role, he’s tough and he was tough today,” said Smith of Lynch who plays club ball at West Virginia University. “He threw a great game. He ran out of gas there at the end, but that’s understandable. I think he was close to 80 pitches.”
Lynch also got the support from his teammates.
Shortstop Ryan Kasye had a big day at the plate going a perfect 4-for-4 with two runs scored, second baseman Keegan Nytz added two hits and catcher Jadon Diaz had two RBI in the win for Lower Mac which entered the game hitting just .147 as a team.
“It was great to see the bats come alive today,” said Smith. “The kids were having a little fun with it. We were long overdue for that. “
Emmaus, which committed five errors in the loss, rallied late with a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh inning to get to within 5-4 on a Stephen Doddy two-run single, and still had runners on first and second with one out, but reliever Jaime Hamilton got David Cobb to line out to Nytz who flipped over to first to double off Doddy and end the game.
Doddy went 2-for-4 with two RBI, while teammate shortstop Matt Madigan also had two hits and scored three of his team’s four runs.
Doddy suffered the loss in his first start of the season. The tall lanky right-hander gave up all five runs and scattered eight hits in four innings of work. Jimmy Braxmeier came on and did a good job in relief as he allowed just one hit in three scoreless innings.
Both teams will return to action next week with three straight games beginning on Monday. Lower Mac host Salisbury, while Emmaus will travel to Carbon. Both games are scheduled for 6 p.m.
Follow @Emmaussports.com on twitter, ‘like’ Emmaus baseball on facebook to keep up to date on both teams throughout the season.
Lower Mac – 100 220 0 – 5-10-3
Emmaus- 001 010 2 – 4-8-5
Brendan Lynch, Joe Marrero (6), Jaime Hamilton (7) and Jadon Diaz
Stephen Doddy, Jimmy Braxmeier (5) and John Cherhit, Zane Cook (6)
WP – Lynch (1-0), LP – Doddy (0-1)
LV Legion (Standings) – South Parkland 7-0, North Parkland 5-1, Carbon 3-2, Northern Valley 3-2, Salisbury 2-2-1, LOWER MAC 2-4, EMMAUS 2-4, Coplay 0-4-1, Allentown 0-5