Two-Way Play Pushes Patriots Over Monarchs
Nick Henthorn Trending
WHEELING – Homestanding Wheeling Park averted elimination in the WVSSAC Class AAA Region 1 Section 1 Tournament Friday via a well-played 9-4 win over rival John Marshall at Patriot Field.
Consequently, the Patriots now advance to face Morgantown, needing to beat the Mohigans twice to earn a regional tournament berth. The teams are scheduled to vie today at 10 a.m. at Morgantown.
Park was solid in all phases in avenging a loss to John Marshall in the sectional opener.
The Patriots unleashed a 15-hit attack, received quality pitching from a pair of hurlers while being air-tight defensively.
Park improved to 17-13 on the campaign while the youthful Monarchs bowed out at 13-18.
"It was good team baseball," Park head coach Steve Myers said. "We hit the ball really well and Braydon (Kupsky) and Miles (Gorby) were solid on the mound for us. We also made all the plays we needed behind them."
"We did all the little things you need to do," he added. "We put some runs on the board early which is always nice. I am really pleased with our performance today."
Kupsky gained the mound win. He struck out one and walked five before giving way to Gorby with two outs in the fifth. Gorby earned the save with two-plus innings of sharp relief. He fanned one and did not issue a walk.
JM tallied one run in the first frame. Hayden Hughes walked, moved to third on a Lex Wilhelm single before scoring on a sac fly off the bat of Mason Markonich.
Park responded with two runs in the home-half of the first.
Jared Marsh was beaned to open the frame. After stealing second, he scored on an error. Nate Simon singled and came home on a Rocco DiGiandomenico single.
The Patriots added two more tallies in the second.
Travis Gump and Marsh opened with back-to-back singles. Trenton Rosenthal singled in Gump before Marsh came in on a successful double-steal.
Park stretched its advantage to 6-1 in the fourth. Marsh singled and was doubled home by Rosenthal. After a Simon single, Kupsky plated Rothenthal on a groundout.
JM bounced back to put two runs on the board in the fifth, courtesy of two walks, a wild pitch and an RBI single by Markonich.
The Patriots pushed the lead back to 7-3 in the fifth as Ryland Robb doubled, moved to third on a Nolan Yanchak single. A double-play grounder brought in Robb.
The Monarchs pared the deficit to 7-4 in the sixth.
Donovan Jones and Jacob Cisar produced singles with Hayden Gaiser delivering an RBI single.
Park tacked on two insurance runs in the sixth.
Marsh was beaned with Rosenthal following with a single. DiGiandomenico lined an RBI single with Robb adding an RBI groundout.
Isaac Koontz started on the hill for JM. He worked into the sixth, striking out two and walking none. Hunter Coulter finished up for Mark Cisar's club.
"It was just a case of missed opportunities. We had our chances," Cisar said. "We didn't make some plays in the field that we should have and Park hit the ball really well.
"I hate to see the season end. We are a young team with only four seniors," added the former Magnolia High athletic great. "I am really proud of my seniors. Three are going to college and the fourth is going to the military. You can't ask for anything more than that."
JM ended with six hits.
DiGiandomenico and Rosenthal paced Park's attack with three hits each while Marsh, Simon Robb and Yanchack all delivered two safeties.
"I really liked how we are playing right now. We are playing together and getting contributions from a lot of people," Myers said. "Morgantown is human. I have a lot of confidence in my team."