From top to bottom, the lineup was clicking for Lancaster Catholic’s baseball team.
“I feel like when we hit the ball like that, it’s infectious,” said Crusaders senior outfielder Logan Weyforth (2-for-3, 2 RBIs). “Everyone starts hitting, it’s just a lot of fun to play.”
All nine players in the starting lineup reached base safely at least once as the Crusaders racked up 13 hits and five walks while defeating Pequea Valley 10-6, in a Lancaster-Lebanon League Section Four outing — and a de facto playoff game — Monday evening in Lancaster.
Both teams entered the matchup knowing that a win would clinch them a spot in the upcoming league playoffs.
Lancaster Catholic jumped out to an early lead. The Crusaders took advantage of two Pequea Valley errors combined with two hits and a walk to score three runs in the bottom of the first inning. The big hit came via an RBI single from third baseman Ty George (2-for-4, 2 RBIs).
Catholic proceeded to score two runs apiece in the second, third, and fourth innings while racking up 10 hits across the first four frames. Outfielder Zach Zuber (2-for-3, double, 2 RBIs) drove in a pair of runs during the onslaught while George, Dylan Banchof (2-for-4, double), Liam Ahern (2-for-4, 2 RBIs), and Weyforth put together four straight hits to plate two runs in the bottom of the fourth.
“One through nine, we feel effective where we can put the ball in play, move guys over, get runs in,” Lancaster Catholic head coach Steve Remley said.
Meanwhile, on the mound, Lancaster Catholic starter Drew Walker was stellar. The junior left-hander allowed just one hit across four shutout innings while posting five strikeouts and one walk.
“(I) just tried to be aggressive, throw strikes,” Walker said. “Offspeed early in the count, get ahead, and once I get ahead, I’m feeling good.”
Remley added: “Dude is a bulldog. He wants the ball. He is competitive.”
Despite the early lead and a strong pitching performance from their starter, Monday’s win was not easy for the Crusaders.
Pequea Valley exploded for six runs in the top of the fifth inning. Jayden Stoltzfus, Stephen Smucker and Logan Zynn registered RBI hits as the Braves fought their way back into the game.
In the top of the sixth, it appeared as though the Braves were going to cut deeper into the lead when Dom Burrell laced a line drive that umpires ruled hit a base runner, resulting in an inning-ending out and taking at least one run off the board.
The Crusaders answered with an RBI single by Weyforth, his second of the game, in the bottom of the sixth to stretch the lead back to four runs at 10-6.
The victory is the fourth straight for the Crusaders and clinches a spot in the L-L League playoffs for Lancaster Catholic. The Crusaders will face Section Two champion Ephrata in the league quarterfinals on Thursday.
After throwing just four innings with a limited pitch count Monday, Walker is eligible to pitch against the Mountaineers.
“All you’ve got to do is get in and anything can happen,” Walker said. “We’re an underdog, but we’ve got all the confidence that we need.”
Weyforth added: “We have the momentum, we’re on a little bit of a win streak. I feel very confident going into league playoffs.”
