Big innings propel Loyalsock Majors

Newberry had things going its way. After being shut out through four innings, it collected three hits and scored twice. But the momentum did not last.

Loyalsock answered with seven runs in the top of the sixth inning on six hits to secure a 13-4 win in District 12 Major Baseball Thursday night at Brandon.

Loyalsock (4-0) advances to the winner's bracket final Monday to play Keystone (4-0).

A ground-rule double by Kyle Datres started Loyalsock's big inning. Robbie Klein followed with a run-scoring hit and Nick DiFrancesco, Wes LaPoint and Caleb Robbins all collected hits, with Robbins' double scoring two runs. Evan Moore followed with a double to bring Robbins home and give his team a 13-4 lead.

"It definitely gave us some breathing room because Ethan (Moore) was getting up in his pitch count so you have to figure something is coming off of his fastball, his breaking ball may not be working quite as well," Loyalsock coach Lynn Datres said. "So if they can put a runner or two on, they're going to have a little excitement."

Newberry (3-2) closed to 6-2 in the fifth inning after an Ian Miller double drove in a run and he later scored on a wild pitch.

Even after Loyalsock's big inning, Newberry kept fighting after a two-run homer by Evan Fromille. But pitchers Datres and Malachi Price closed the door.

Moore pitched well, throwing 83 pitches while allowing two runs on five hits. In the fourth, Newberry had runners at second and third but Moore worked out of the jam without surrendering a run.

"He was around the plate," Datres said. "His fastball was not overpowering but it was right there. He had a nice curveball. He has pitched well here at Brandon on this higher mound and he's pitched against Newberry throughout the season so we just thought he was the guy to go with and he took us home just like he needed to do."

Loyalsock opened the game almost as hot as it ended it, scoring five runs in the first inning. The big inning was highlighted by a two-run blast by Robbins.

"We had two bad innings, the first inning and the sixth," Newberry coach Joe Hamm. "Other than that, we shut them down from the second through the fifth. They played a masterful game. Their pitcher on the mound was great. I can't say enough. They did a very good job of keeping our batters off balance."

Loyalsock500 107- 13 14 0

Newberry000 022-4 8 2

Ethan Moore, Kyle Datres (5), Malachi Price (6) and Robbie Klein. Ian Miller, Corey Mayer (5), Anthony Caruso (6) and Damone Buxton. W - Moore. L - Miller.

Top Loyalsock hitters: Kyle Datres, 3-4, 2b, 2 runs, RBI; Klein, 2-4, 2b, 2 runs, RBI; Moore, 2b, 2 runs, RBI; Nick DiFrancesco, RBI; Wes LaPoint, 3-4, 2 RBI; Caleb Robbins, 2-4; 2b, HR, 4 RBI; Evan Moore, 2b. Top Newberry hitters: Miller, 2-4, 2 2b, RBI; Evan Fromille, HR, 2 RBI; Austin Bashnick, 2-3; Mayer, 2b.

Records: Loyalsock, 4-0; Newberry, 2-2.