RECAP >> Ryan Latchford drove in the game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth inning and then came on to preserve the lead one inning later as Lower Mac edged Salisbury 3-2 in the Lehigh Valley Legion semifinals held last night at Emmaus Community Park.
Latchford, pinch-hitting in the No.9 spot in the lineup, grounded a ball to the right side of the infield with two outs scoring Anthony Viola from third base as Lower Mac survived an upset bid from Salisbury, the No.8 seed, who had defeated top-seeded South Parkland 2-0 earlier at Limeport Stadium.
The victory was the fourth in row and eighth in the last nine games for Lower Mac (12-4-1) which advances to tonight’s winners’ bracket final at 5:45 p.m. at Orefield Middle School against third-seeded North Parkland. The Buffaloes defeated second-seeded Whitehall/Coplay 3-1 in the other semifinal. Tonight’s game will be carried LIVE on www.easternpasportsnetwork.com beginning at 5:30 p.m.
Lower Mac, which had defeated Salisbury twice during the regular-season – one being a forfeit win back on July 1 – was able to win despite managing just four hits in the game off Salisbury starter Thomas Lovelidge who went six strong innings.
Viola was the only player in the game with multiple hits going 2-for-3 at the plate, while first baseman Taylor Davis went 1-for-2 with a walk and pitcher Dominic Chiego 1-for-3 with a run scored.
Chiego, who was making his second start of the season, was solid on the mound in improving to 2-0. The right-hander gave up just three hits and struck out nine in six innings before giving way to Latchford who earned the save.
Salisbury (7-11) was led on offense by shortstop Hunter Rothrock who reached base all four times in going 2-for-2 at the plate with two runs scored and a pair of walks. The Falcons dropped into the losers bracket with the loss and will travel to the Carbon Monarchs tonight at 5:45 p.m. Carbon kept their season alive with a 9-6 win over Northern Valley.
Elsewhere, South Parkland bounced back from their loss to Salisbury by rolling to an 11-1 win over Allentown. The Trojans will host Whitehall in an elimination game at 5:45 p.m. at Parkland High School.
Lower Mac 3, Salisbury 2
Sal – 001 010 0 – 2-3-1
LM – 002 001 x – 3-4-1
Thomas Lovelidge and Jordan Tocci; Dominic Chiego, Ryan Latchford (7) and Anthony McWhinney. WP – Chiego (2-0), S – Latchford