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ALMEDIA -- Players poured from the dugout celebrating hitters who dropped bunts or moved runners. Loyalsock is understanding now more than ever the little things equal big results.
And the Lancers executing all those little and big things well produced an outstanding playoff win Tuesday afternoon.
Josh Rankey threw a dominant four-hitter, Matt Worth and Joeb Schurer delivered three hits each and Loyalsock played flawless defense as it pounded Mount Carmel, 12-2, in six innings in the District 4 Class AAA semifinals. The Lancers (15-6) won their fifth straight game and reached their 10th district final in 13 years.
Loyalsock will face Central Columbia in Saturday's championship at Bowman Field. The hard work which started last full sure is producing something big.
"The biggest thing right now is we're not getting too high. We're playing well but it's the product of a lot of hard work and the amount of time everyone has put in," Loyalsock coach Zac Martin said. "It's all that time we put in paying off."
"Being a senior, I've been waiting for some playoff action for a while so it's exciting," Rankey said. "It means a lot."
Pitching in his first playoff game, Rankey was untouchable for five innings and went the distance, striking out 12. The tall left-hander worked the zone, hit his spots, moved the ball, changed speeds and stymied an offense which produced 21 hits in a 19-5 quarterfinal at Wellsboro last Saturday.
Earlier this season, Rankey threw a no-hitter at Hughesville earlier this year and he was every bit as dominant against Mount Carmel. He struck out every batter at least once, recorded multiple strikeouts in each of the first five innings and threw 5 2/3 innings of shutout baseball. Loyalsock led 3-0 after four innings but even that small lead felt insurmountable the way Rankey was throwing.
Rankey walked the game's opening batter but pumped the strike zone after that. He threw first-pitch strikes to 17 of the last 23 batters he faced and Loyalsock backed him with super defense and balanced offense.
"It was shaking the nerves off. I settled in and felt good after that," Rankey said. "I like throwing in the heat, being warm. You get warmer as the game goes on and that feels good."
"He's putting it all together and he's in total control out there. When he's on and moving the ball in and out and doing the little things he's really tough to hit," Martin said. "He's throwing confident. Our pitching coach Mike Frederick feels confident calling any pitch and knowing that Josh is going to execute it."
Loyalsock sure is executing offensively as well.
The Lancers produced 13 hits and scored nine runs over the last two innings to end the game early. Every starter reached base and eight players produced hits. Worth put Loyalsock ahead to stay in the second inning when he rocketed a two-out triple to right-center field and scored on Kaden Rodarmel's single.
Worth went 3 for 4, hit the ball hard every time up and is 16 for 19 over his last six games. Hitting coach Jimmy Webb helped Worth change his approach a few weeks ago and it continued paying dividends yesterday.
"It was balance, loading up and timing. It's that simple," Worth said. "Everyone is playing well, and everyone is hitting, too. It's the perfect time, too."
Loyalsock continued its strong two-out hitting in the third inning when Schurer (3 for 4, three runs) hit a single and Nick Barone (1 for 2, three runs) walked. Spencer Gross then smashed a two-run double to deep left-center field and Loyalsock led 3-0.
Loyalsock has scored at least eight runs in each of its wins during its winning streak and broke things open in the fifth and sixth, belting six hits and scoring nine times. The Lancers complemented their strong hitting with smart, aggressive baserunning and Chase Cavanaugh stole home on a double steal with Schurer swiping second.
Worth highlighted a four-run, fifth-inning rally with a two-run single and Rodarmel followed with a sacrifice fly which made it 7-0. Mount Carmel scored twice in the top of the sixth, but Loyalsock inflicted the mercy rule in the bottom half, scoring five times with just one out being recorded.
Moxen Cotter highlighted Loyalsock's depth and hit a pinch-hit two-run single before Worth ended the game and ripped a walk-off single.
A year after not getting to play at all, Loyalsock is enjoying the moment and headed to Bowman Field.
"That's something coach Martin always says. Last year was taken away from us so we have to make the most out of this year because nothing is guaranteed." Worth said. "Go cherish the moment and have fun with it."
Mount Carmel 000 002--2 4 1
Loyalsock 012 045--12 13 0
Josh Rankey and Cooper Larson. Jonas Bettleyon, Damon Milewski (5) and Gavin Lasko. W--Rankey. L--Bettleyon.
Top Loyalsock hitters: Joeb Schurer 3-4, 3 runs; Matt Worth 3-4, 3B, 3 RBIs, run; Spencer Gross 1-2, 2B, 3 RBIs, run; Kaden Rodarmel 1-2, 2 RBIs; Chase Cavanaugh 2-3, RBI, 2 runs, 2 SBs; Nick Barone 1-2, 2 BB, 3 runs; Moxen Cotter 1-1, 2 RBIs; Rankey 1-3. Top Mount Carmel hitters: Colin Lukitis 1-3, 2 RBIs; Gavin Lasko 1-2, run; Caden Sandri 1-3, run.
Records: Loyalsock (15-6), Mount Carmel (11-11).