In a season filled with ups and downs, Emmaus had arguably one of its finest moments to date last night at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, and it came no less against their biggest rival.
Behind the stellar pitching of sophomore Cole Moreau and an offensive effort that tied for the most runs put up in a game this season, the Hornets cruised to a surprisingly easy 15-1 six-inning rout of Parkland, handing the Trojans their first EPC loss of the season.
Emmaus, which had gone winless against Parkland last season (0-3), did all their scoring in three innings jumping on Trojans ace junior Steven Sepko in the top of the first inning for three runs and never looking back in a dominating effort.
The victory improved the Hornets EPC mark to 6-1 and their overall record to one game over .500 at 6-5. It was also the first time that Emmaus had beaten Parkland since the 2022 season.
Moreau, who was making fifth start, was dominate on the mound as he went 4 1/3 innings allowing just one run on three hits while striking 10 and working out a number of jams. For his efforts, he was named the SportClips Player of the Game on the LIVE broadcast on The Eastern Pa. Sports Network.
Senior Shane Ohl came in relief and pitched the final 1 2/3 innings and didn’t allow a hit.
Offensively, the Hornets were led by their No.5 and No.6 hitters in their lineup as senior third baseman Chad Kauffman was 2-for-3 with three RBI and classmate designated hitter Josiah Williams also drove in three runs and went 2-for-4 at the plate. Senior shortstop Emmit Budick scored three times in the game and fellow senior rightfielder Noah Hogan reached base three times in four plate appearances.
Sepko, who entered with a 3-0 mark and 1.24 ERA, suffered his first loss of the season and left the game in the fifth inning. Three other pitchers – Noah Trager, Julian Santiago and Chase Brunner – combined to give up 12 runs on six hits the rest of the way. Parkland was also hurt by five errors in the game.
Emmaus will look to continue the momentum from last night’s win as they return to action this afternoon at 4 p.m. hosting the defending EPC and District XI champs Liberty.
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Emmaus 15, Parkland 1 (6 innings)
Em – 300 039 – 15-7-2
Pa – 001 000 – 1-3-5
Cole Moreau, Shane Ohl (5) and Bryan Kain; Steve Sepko, Noah Trager (5), Julian Santiago (6), Chase Brunner and Lou Inserra. LP – Sepko (3-1)