COGAN?STATION - It was more about run prevention for East Lycoming before a 4-run, two-out rally in the top of the sixth gave it a 5-3 win over Old Lycoming.
In the District 12 Major boys tournament game, East Lycoming got good innings from Jared Snyder and received multiple diving stops from fielders. It also benefited from two huge double plays in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively.
The come from behind win sets East Lycoming up with a Wednesday showdown against Hepburn Lycoming and moves Old Lycoming to the losers' bracket to face Muncy Tuesday at Maynard.
"You don't see it very often," East Lycoming coach Kevin Balliet said of the fourth inning double play. "You don't see a first to third play very often, but it's something we practice. We were prepared for the situation."
The 6-3-5 double play came after Old Lycoming recaptured the lead with a 3-run burst in the fourth inning. After a single and walk to open the inning, Adam Helminiak roped a double to the wall, scoring both runners and tying the game. Mike Gardner then doubled home Helminiak.
With the inning slipping, and Old Lycoming looking to add to its 1-run lead, Snyder reared back to get a grounder to short, which setup the double-play. A fly-out to left field then ended the threat and kept Old Lycoming's lead at one.
"It's a play we work on and something that worked out for us today," Balliet said.
East Lycoming got in trouble again in the next inning when Colin Espositto and Cameron Pardoe opened with a single and double, respectively. The pressure was then increased when Balliet was forced to pull Snyder because of pitch count.
Now facing a two-on, no-out situation, Noah Green entered, setting up a 6-5 double play by getting Tanner Espositto to line out to short and doubling Pardoe up on third.
Once again the defense prevented runs, which opened the door for the offense to finally come through with a 4-run top of the sixth.
"I think that's where our momentum picked up," Balliet said of the double play in the fifth. "The kids looked flat before that play and that was a big play."
With the momentum rolling over from the double play in the fifth, Matt Myers led off the sixth with a double. A walk and fielder's choice followed before Green helped his cause on the mound with an RBI single.
Bomboy, who finished going 2 for 4 with two RBIs, drove a single through the infield, scoring two and giving East Lycoming a two-run lead it was able to hold.
"These kids have been playing together since the minor leagues," Balliet said. "They are a special group and should make the big plays."
East Lycoming 001 004-5 6 0
Old Lycoming 000 300-3 6 0
Jared Snyder, Noah Green and Michael Hill. Tyler Mankey, Joseph Fagnano (6), Colin Espositto (6) and Ryan Jolin. WP-Snyder. LP-Mankey.
Top Old Lycoming hitters: Jolin 2-3, 2B, run; Adam Helminiak 2B, 2 RBIs. Top East Lycoming hitters: Chad Bomboy 2-4, 2 RBIs, run; Michael Hill 2B.
