Behind the pitching of Matt VanOstenbridge, Wilson defeated Oley Valley 6-0 in a Berks Boys Baseball quarterfinal Thursday at Laureldale.
The left-handed VanOstenbridge allowed two hits and struck out eight in six innings to help the second-seeded Bulldogs (14-6) advance to a semifinal matchup at FirstEnergy Stadium Saturday against Muhlenberg at 9 a.m.
“It starts with pitching and starts on the mound with Matt (VanOstenbridge),” Wilson coach Bill Underwood said. “He’s shown all year he can keep us in the ballgame. Our guys know if we get two or three runs that we have a very good chance of winning the game. I think it keeps us focused and keeps us knowing that we have some life even if we get down a bit.”
Wilson scored the game’s first run on a passed ball that allowed Evan Gabaldon to cross the plate in the first inning.
The Bulldogs made it 2-0 in the third against the seventh-seeded Lynx (13-8). Tommy Hunsicker singled, stole second, then advanced to third before scoring on a sacrifice fly to left field by his brother, Christo Hunsicker.
Wilson scored three more in the fourth. Jordan Shutter (2-for-3) bunted for a hit to load the bases with one out, and Mason Sensenig and Tommy Hunsicker had RBI singles in the inning.
In the fifth the Bulldogs made it 6-0 as Nick Fiorini doubled to left-center, moved to third on a passed ball and scored on a wild pitch.
That was more than enough runs for VanOstenbridge, a junior.
“I felt good,” he said. “I was actually a little sick the past couple of days, kind of under the weather, but I rested up and did what I needed to do.”
Christo Hunsicker struck out two in the seventh.
Oley Valley’s two hits came from Gryffin Cappellano and Tyler Drobek.
The Lynx will turn their focus to the District 3 playoffs. They are fourth in the Class 3A power ratings and the top six qualify. The opening round is Monday, May 22.
The Bulldogs, meanwhile, turn their attention to third-seeded and defending champ Muhlenberg.
“I think it’s just the focus on each and every play,” Underwood said on what his team, which made four errors Thursday, needs to clean up before Saturday. “It’s the mentality that you want the ball coming to you and if you do then you should be ready to go. I think sometimes there’s a lapse in that.”
Source: Berkshire mont
Be First to Comment