Defensive lapses cost Laurel Highlands in loss to Yough
HOPWOOD – Yough took advantage of five Laurel Highlands’ errors to take over first place in Section 2-AAA with an 8-3 victory over the Mustangs Wednesday afternoon at Hutchinson Field. The Cougars managed just four hits off two LH pitchers, but scored six unearned runs, including four with two outs in the top of the fifth inning.
All of Yough’s runs were scored with two outs.
“I thought Kevin (Gmiter) threw the ball really well, and I thought Carmen (Congelio) did a nice job as well,” said Laurel Highlands coach Tom Landman. “But we have to catch the ball. Today, we had defensive lapses at times and Yough took advantage of it.”
With the win, the Cougars improve to 12-2 overall and more importantly, 9-2 in Section 2-AAA. They lead the Mustangs (11-2, 7-2) by one game and need just one more section victory to clinch a WPIAL playoff berth.
Yough swept its season series with Laurel Highlands, taking the first meeting in mid-April, 11-1.
On Wednesday, Landman called Gmiter’s number as the Mustangs played their third game in three days. The junior right-hander responded by allowing just three hits in 3 2/3 innings, but left the game trailing 4-0.
Gmiter (1-1) breezed through the first two innings, retiring six of seven batters, but ran into trouble with one out in the top of the third inning. Yough’s No. 9 hitter, Jason Hegedus, reached on an infield error, and Gmiter then hit Craig Sedunov.
After the Cougars’ Channing Flanigan bounced into a fielder’s choice, putting runners on the corners with two outs, Josh Aldridge singled in the game’s first run. After another infield error, Gmiter forced in a run when he walked Justin Shaffer with the bases loaded.
A walk, two hit batters and a two-run single by Aldridge made it 4-0 an inning later.
Laurel Highlands took advantage of one of eight walks by Shaffer to score a run in the bottom of the fourth inning. Zach Dascenzo drew a leadoff walk, went to third on a Gmiter’s single and scored when Randy Rankin hit into a fielder’s choice.
The Mustangs eventually loaded the bases, but settled for just one run when Mike Newhouse struck out to end the inning.
Yough benefited from a walk, a hit batter and two more errors to make it 8-1 in the top of the fifth inning. With the bases loaded, an infield error with two outs allowed the first two runs to score, before an outfield error brought home two more runs.
Shaffer (5-0) lasted 5 1/3 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out four. He was pulled in the bottom of the sixth inning with runners on the corners and Yough leading, 8-3.
“He’s our big gun,” said Cougars coach Terry Odelli. “Justin has pitched in just about every big game for us the past two years. His control was off today. He struggled the whole game and then LH started to take pitches.”
Rankin walked to lead off the sixth inning, and eventually scored on a wild pitch. Josh Myers walked and scored as well, coming home on pinch-hitter Billy Work’s single.
Congelio relieved Gmiter and worked the final 3 1/3 innings, allowing just one hit and striking out two.
NOTES: Sedunov was officially 0 for 2, but reached base three times after being hit by a pitch. … Laurel Highlands will play its fourth game in four days when it travels to Mount Pleasant today. … The teams combined for 12 walk, five hit batters and 17 runners left on base. … Shaffer was pulled after throwing 111 pitches, 30 of which came during the first inning.