LH clinches share of Section 2-AAA title
FARMINGTON – Laurel Highlands knew its assignment – defeat Uniontown and clinch at least share of the Section 2-AAA title. With a dominating performance from senior pitcher Kevin Gmiter and home runs from Nick Erminio and Carmen Congelio, the Mustangs were able to do just that Wednesday afternoon with a 13-2 victory.
With the win the Mustangs grab a share of their second Section 2 title along with Greensburg Salem, a 12-5 winner over Yough.
Now the Mustangs await their placement in the playoffs, which will be announced on Friday. They could receive either a fifth or sixth seed. Last year Blackhawk eliminated LH in the quarterfinals.
“Our coaching staff is proud of our kids winning the section. It’s extremely hard to win a share of a section or back to back section titles,” coach Tom Landman said. “Especially after yesterday’s loss (to Greensburg Salem) it was nice to see the kids respond so well and bounce back.”
“Now it’s the second season for us. We’re going to take some time and enjoy this section and get ready for whoever we’ll end up playing in the future.”
Against Uniontown Gmiter allowed just one hit, four walks and four strikeouts, improving his season record to 5-0. “I just wanted to go out and play focus, controlling my hits and let my defense take care of the rest. I just felt it today,” Gmitter said.”
The Mustangs (16-4, 12-2) started fast with shortstop Nick Erminio sending Jason Guthrie’s first pitch 378 feet to left field for a home run, “When I hit it I was thinking triple, and then when I was going to second from first, I knew where the ball was gone, so I started trotting. It’s the first time I’ve seen the first pitch hit for a home run.”
Congelio knocked in Gio Schiano as the Mustangs continued their scoring in the first. Then, after Ethan Mildren came in off a walk, Mike Newhouse blasted a double to give the Mustangs a 5-0 lead in the first.
“Coming into this game we knew it’s certainly a rivalry game, but you know that shouldn’t really matter,” Landman said. “We had the early runs, which gave us some great momentum to make the big plays. In this game it started with Nick’s home run. He’s been a great player who has made some big plays from the field. This time he jumped on top of the pitch and gave us a spark.”
Uniontown responded in the bottom of the first when Guthrie knocked in Mark Riggar after sending a double between second and third.
Andy King knocked in the Red Raider’s second score with a sacrifice fly to Billy Work.
However, the Red Raiders never got closer as the Mustangs continued the assault into the second, where Congelio smacked Guthrie’s last pitch of the game over the fence in center field to give the Mustangs an 8-2 lead.
After Mildren scored off of a Mason Tupta’s fly out, the Mustangs took an 11-2 lead after three innings and scored the game-winner when Joe Eperjesi singled in Ethan Mildren.
The game was called after five innings due to the 10-run.
Mildren led the team with three runs, while Congelio had three hits and Erminio and Newhouse two each.
The Mustangs had 13 hits off three Red Raider pitchers.
For the Red Raider’s, Guthrie struck out one player and had Uniontown’s only hit.
The Red Raider’s head into today’s season finale against Albert Gallatin with a 1-12 section record.
“This year we’ve had a lot off growing pains. We had a lot of underclassman play, which meant we didn’t have a lot of experience on the field,” Uniontown coach Rob Kezmarsky said. “So I think we had a good year, but came up short. But certainly I think things will improve over the next few years.”