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Trace Wertz helped South defeat Neumann in high-scoring game

By Chris Masse 7 min read

Catcher Trace Wertz sent coach Chase Waller a two-word text a night before South Williamsport opened its season Monday against St. John Neumann.

"Let’s go!"

Well, Wertz helped South never stop going as this new-look, young team looked mighty dangerous in its debut at Brandon Park. Wertz went 4 for 4 with an RBI and walk, ignited a go-ahead sixth inning rally and led a deep attack as South defeated Neumann, 18-9. Wertz led off the sixth inning with a double and his courtesy runner Jonah Caputo scored the go-ahead run on Marc Molina’s two-out RBI triple after Neumann had stormed back from an eight-run deficit to tie the game after five innings.

Wertz has gone from exciting prospect as a freshman two years ago to a team leader and he led an offense which produced 20 hits and scored 14 two-out runs while giving Waller a win in his head coaching debut.

"He texted me and said, ‘Let’s go,’ and it gives me chills," Waller said. "He’s ready. He loves baseball. He’s a baseball guy. He’s one of the guys we lead with out here. He gets the guys up and the guys rally to him."

That shined through against a gritty Neumann team. Wertz not only produced four hits, but displayed excellent batting approaches. Caputo scored four times running for Wertz and South scored multiple runs four of the five times he hit. His lead-off, first-pitch double down the left field line also was the perfect South response after Neumann had scored five runs in the fifth and tied the game, 9-9.

A player who relentlessly works, Wertz is picking up where previous catch Kayne Jones left off. He leading by words and action and everything came together against Neumann. It started early, too, with Wertz’s two-out RBI single in the first inning sparking a four-run rally.

"I have to show everybody what I have. People sometimes count some people out but you just have to work and have to respond," Wertz said. "I learned from great guys, Kayne Jones, Kaiser Kistner and Alex Neidig my freshman year, so I picked up a lot from those guys that I can teach these guys. Leadership on this team is going to go a long way."

That is especially true since South features just two seniors. What the Mounties lack in experience, though, they make up for in talent and potential. They made that clear against Neumann as nine different players combined for the 20 hits and freshman Cole Gerber dazzled in his debut, striking out five in 2 1/3 innings to earn the win in relief.

Levi Butler and Tadd Lusk each produced three hits with Butler driving in four runs and Lusk stealing four bases. Molina, Gerber, freshman Cade Lusk and Rem Minier all collected two hits and Minier made a daring steal of home in the fourth inning. Even when South did not generate hits, it often put together strong at-bats, moving runners well and freshman Jaymes Carpenter had three RBIs.

"I’m excited. We’ve been known for our pitching and defense and baserunning but to see a team from South Williamsport get 20 hits ... watch out," Wertz said. "Anybody that thinks otherwise has to rethink this team. We have some dogs here. We’re young but we’re going to battle."

South proved it again in the final two innings. Instead of lamenting losing an eight-run advantage, South went back to work and scored nine runs while banging out nine hits during that time. The Mounties scored 14 two-out runs and Wertz and Molina fueled the eruption with their clutch sixth inning hits.

After Wertz doubled, Molina belted his go-ahead triple down the right field line and scored on the ensuing throwing error. South kept going strong in the seventh inning, totaling seven runs and seven hits. Gerber went 2 for 2 that inning and four straight batters drove in runs after the second out was recorded.

"It was a true team effort. I can look at least 10 different guys and point to them doing something big to help the team," Waller said. "It wasn’t all crisp and we have things to work on but I was pleased with the overall effort."

Neumann showcased its effort after fighting back from an eight-run deficit against a team which has made three straight Class AA state tournament appearances. Trailing 9-1 entering the bottom of the fourth, Neumann (1-1) scored eight times in its next two at-bats. The Knights four two-out runs in the fifth to tie it, Nolan Fagnano drawing an RBI walk, Maverick Dunkleberger hitting an RBI infield single and Andrew Walter belting a game-tying, two-run single.

The result was not what Neumann wanted, but it showed why it could be a major player in the District 4 Class A playoff picture if it builds off this performance.

"We have young men that are going to grow this program and we’ll be fine," Neumann coach Rick Armstead said. "I have great expectations for this year. We’ll take this one on the chin and move on and get better from it."

Neumann opened its season with a 14-6 win against East Juniata and revealed a deep offense against South with every starter reaching base. Walter doubled and was 2 for 4, while Fagnano drove in two runs and Angelo and Gino Birch both had hits and scored twice each. Clark Bower drew three walks and Lajon Dizard made a tremendous catch in left field which saved a run and closed the second inning.

Like South, Neumann is a team with a lot of upside. A key difference Monday was the errors with Neumann having four and South one. Still, those are mistakes which can be fixed. The resilience Neumann displayed provides a strong foundation going forward, showing this team that it never is out of a game.

"This team and the coaches that we have, we’re not going to let them get down. They’re going to remember this and we’re going to beat it home that they can do do that," Armstead said. "We have some talent and good players here. We can build off this."

In a game dominated by offense, Gerber provided South a stopper. The 6-foot-3 freshman lefty looked anything like a rookie making his high school debut. Over the final two innings, Gerber let one runner reach base, via error, and produced four of his five strikeouts.

Gerber also gave South a big shutdown inning after it took the lead in the sixth, striking out the side. He then led off the seventh with a single and fanned the flames which soon became an inferno.

"I love Cole. Me and him have chemistry that is unmatched," Wertz said. "He’s going to be special. I truly believe that. He’s one of the best pitchers I’ve ever caught."

South 410 402 7--18 20 1

Neumann 010 350 0--9 6 4

Chance Quimby, Tadd Lusk (4), Cole Gerber (5) and Trace Wertz. Andrew Walter, Kane Meixel (5), Angelo Birch (6), Avery Taddeo (7) and Clark Bower. W--Gerber. L--Birch.

Top South hitters: Wertz 4-4, RBI; T. Lusk 3-4, 2B, 3R, 4 SB; Levi Butler 3-4, 4 RBIs, 3R; Marc Molina 2-3, 3B, 3 RBIs; Gerber 2-2; Rem Minier 2-5, 2 RBIs, 3R; Camden Hannan 1-1, R; Cade Lusk 2-5, 2B, RBI, 2R; Torin Haug 1-4; Jonah Caputo 4R. Top Neumann hitters: Walter 2-4, 2B, 2 RBIs; Birch 1-2, 2R; Gino Birch 1-3, 2R; Taddeo 1-4; Maverick Dunkleberger 1-4, RBI; Nolan Fagnano 2 RBIs, R; Meixel RBI, 2BB, 2R.

Records: South 1-0. Neumann 1-1.

Starting at /week.