Chris Masse on baseball: Defenders aren’t letting fast start stop them from improving
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Possessing an undefeated record through six games certainly is exciting. But what excites Warrior Run more is understanding it can still improve a lot.
The Defenders were limited to one game last week, but improved to 6-0, blanking Jersey Shore, 1-0, as Griffen Harrington threw a four-hit shutout. Coming off a District 4 Class AAA championship appearance, Warrior Run entered the season with big expectations.
And the Defenders came thundering from the blocks, outscoring their first four opponents, 44-10. Hard-earned wins followed against Hughesville and Jersey Shore in which the offense was limited to eight hits.
Not every game is going to be a masterpiece and teams have to win when not at their best. Although both opponents are strong ones, it felt like that was the case in Warrior Run’s last two games. So, while happy to be winning, Warrior Run knows it must keep building.
"We’re scrappy. We love to win. We love to play ball and we’re competitive," Harrington said after also hitting an RBI double against Jersey Shore. "We’ve all played at the highest levels that we’ve been able to over the years and we’re ready for these big moments, these 1-0 games. That’s what we live for. Obviously you don’t want to get into this situation, but you want those big wins and when it comes down to it, we’re capable of winning these (close) games."
Warrior Run has proven that the past two seasons, winning a series of close contests while dramatically altering the program’s complexion. A team filled with players who competed on Warrior Run’s Senior Division District 12 state championship team last summer, Warrior Run has gone from one win in 2022, to 11 and the district semifinals in 2023, to 14 and the district championship last season.
So, Warrior Run can take the positive from the last two games knowing it won. It also can learn a lot, knowing the games were close and that one key hit and/or play may have changed things.
"I tell these guys if you don’t come ready to play any given night you can beat. We had three hits (against Jersey Shore) and we didn’t make the adjustments as the games went on and that’s what is a little disappointing to me," Warrior Run coach Derrick Zechman said. "Any time you win, obviously, you’re happy about that, but we have to be ready to go every game."
What Warrior Run has shown in these first six games is that it can win in different ways. The offense produced four extra-base hits in an 8-4 win at defending District 4 Class AAA champion Mount Carmel and then the defense backed up Harrington in the 1-0 game by making no errors. Warrior Run also scored six straight runs after falling behind Hughesville, 1-0 in a game when Landon Polcyn, Cohen Zechman and James Keifer combined on a two-hitter and struck out 17.
"We found a way to win and it’s huge to keep winning games. Being 6-0 is a good feeling at this time of year, but going into conference play it’s Monday, Wednesday, Friday every week," Harrington said. "When the weather warms up the ball is going to keep traveling, keep flying and we’re going to see some good arms and it’s not going to be easy."
Warrior Run is displaying the firepower that can keep it in that arms race as the season progresses. Five pitchers, including Landon Tillson, have combined on a 1.84 ERA, while allowing just 18 hits in three innings. Pitching and defense travel, so that forms a strong foundation.
And while the offense went cold the past two games, that aspect remains dangerous. Seven starters are back from last season and the team is hitting a collective .333.
There is a long way to go and many games to be played. Yes, Warrior Run is happy it enters this week unbeaten, but it knows the work continues. In terms of where they want to go, the Defenders know the work has only started.
"We’re going to be playing games Monday, Wednesday and Friday. We’re planning on playing three games every week," Harrington said. "We have the pitchers to do it, we have the sticks to do it. It’s just making smart decisions and staying on the books in school. We all just have to continue being successful as people and as baseball players and keep up the good work."
SUDDEN IMPACT: Both coaches expressed how impressed they were by Jersey Shore freshman Nolen Pauling following Wednesday’s game. They had plenty of reason to do so after Pauling dominated defensively at shortstop for six innings before stranding two runners in the seventh inning and keeping it, 1-0.
Pauling immediately worked his way into Jersey Shore’s starting lineup and is looking quite comfortable in all aspects. In addition to showing great range and arm strength at shortstop, Pauling has compiled a .375 on-base percentage and is flourishing as the team’s closer.
In addition to allowing just one hit in five appearances, Pauling has two saves, a 0.00 ERA and has struck out nine in five innings.
"Pauling made every play. He probably had 9 or 10 putouts," Zechman said. "He’s going to be a good one."
"I know I’ve said it before, but Nolen is the real deal. He has ice in his veins," Jersey Shore coach Joe Dunn said. "Facing these guys that are varsity hitters as a 14 or 15-years old is pretty impressive. He just takes the ball and he doesn’t let anything faze him."
EXTRA BASES: St. John Neumann (6-2) made a big statement last Friday, going to defending District 4 Class A champion Benton and winning, 4-3. The Knights have won five of their last six games and handed Benton just its second loss, breaking a tie in the top of the seventh. Neumann opened its week with a 19-10 win at five-win Northwest, erasing a four-run deficit, collecting eight hits and drawing 18 walks. Avery Taddeo had two hits and five RBIs, while Kane Meixel added two hits and two runs ... South Williamsport put together a week, handing Montgomery its first loss and rallying from four runs down to beat Canton, 13-6. Tadd Lusk sparked the offense from the lead-off spot and reached base seven times, going 5 for 9 with two doubles and seven RBIs. Freshman Cole Gerber threw 4 2/3 strong innings with six strikeouts against Montgomery and sophomore Chance Quimby 3 2/3 innings of scoreless relief against Canton... Montgomery quickly bounced back from the South defeat as Parker Bennett threw a five-inning no-hitter the next day in a 13-0 win at CMVT. Bennett struck out 14, producing all but one out via strikeout. Chase Bennett went 3 for 4 with a double and two RBIs and Victor Ottmann was 2 for 2 with three runs ... Loyalsock has won three straight games and displayed its resilience with comeback wins against Lewisburg and Southern Columbia. The Lancers rallied from five down to defeat Lewisburg, 12-9 and defeated Southern, 6-5 in eight innings on Kayden Keefer’s walk-off single. Deryk Kulp earned the win in both games and Keefer, Dolan Harman and John Kiehl all had three-hit games ... Lewisburg is loaded with young talent and won its second game after going winless last season, defeating Milton, 10-7. Freshmen Landynn Bieber and Cole Shannon combined on a four-hitter and freshman Lincoln Ayres was 2 for 3. Junior Landen Wagner has been dialed in all season and went 8 for 10 with four extra-base hits and four RBIs in three games last week ... Muncy may be the district’s youngest team, starting five freshmen, but is making strides and scored 13 runs in both its wins last week against Bucktail and Bloomsburg. Freshman Jameson Barlow earned the win in both games, while Tanner Baker earned a save at Bloomsburg and also went 4 for 4 with five RBIs. Liam Adams, Nick Delany and Kase Snyder all added two hits.
–Masse may be reached at cmasse@sungazette.com. Follow him on Twitter at @docmasse