Mustangs score 15 runs in 4th to rout Wildcats, 15-1
Laurel Highlands’ offense struggled early on against Greater Latrobe’s Andy Bradford, but once it got going, the defending state champions had no chance in the Mustangs’ 15-1 Section 3-AAAAA victory on Friday at Tom Landman Field.
Bradford took a no-hitter into the fourth inning, but Laurel Highlands senior Travis Sankovich broke up the no-hitter and shutout rather quickly with a line-drive home run to right field to tie the game. Sankovich worked a 3-1 count before smashing Bradford’s next offering over the fence for his first homer this season.
“That was big,” said Laurel Highlands head coach Scott DeBerry referring to Sankovich’s home run. “He kick started us. Travis kind of spoils you because you almost expect it, and it’s not fair to him, but when he comes up to the plate, you almost expect to see him on base. He is also a phenomenal fielder. Travis is an all-around baseball player.”
Sankovich’s blast must have inspired his teammates, as the Mustangs sent 19 more batters to the plate and scored another 14 runs for a 15-1 lead.
DeBerry credited his team for adjusting to Bradford’s off-speed pitching the second time around.
“He was throwing a lot of sliders and he was hitting his spots with the off-speed stuff,” DeBerry said.
“He had a pretty good fastball, too, which you had to respect. He had us a little off-balance, but they eventually adjusted the second time through.”
Laurel Highlands (5-0, 5-0) took the lead for good when Nate Zimcosky’s two-run single to right field scored Mason McManus and Ian Edenfield for a 3-1 advantage. McManus and Edenfield had singled to reach base.
The Mustangs extended their lead to 4-1 when Tan Erminio was hit by pitch with the bases loaded to score Evan Voyten.
Bradford was taken out following Erminio’s at-bat. He allowed seven runs on four hits in three innings. He had five strikeouts and didn’t walk a batter.
“The positive thing about this game, even though the score doesn’t show it, is that it was tight,” DeBerry said. “It was 1-0 and we weren’t having a whole lot of success at the plate, but they adjusted and put together a great inning. To me, other than winning the game, that is the biggest positive I take from it.”
The Wildcats (2-3, 3-4) brought in Jake Bradish, but he didn’t fare much better in allowing five runs on five hits in 1/3. Tucker Knupp closed out the final 2/3 of the fourth, but not before giving up three runs on one hit. He had a strikeout and walk.
Josh Burns’ double to deep right field scored Greg Lancaster, Chad Petrush and Erminio for Laurel Highlands’ final three runs. Burns had a two-run single earlier in the inning and five RBIs.
McManus connected for a two-run single and Edenfield added a run-scoring single. Sankovich doubled, walked and scored two runs in addition to his home run.
Zimcosky and Erminio had two steals.
Mustang lefty Andino Vecchiolla kept his team in the game until they found their stroke at the plate. The sophomore gave up one unearned run in the third on three hits in five innings for his second win this year. He had two strikeouts and didn’t walk a batter.
“I thought he (Vecchiolla) was very efficient and threw the ball well,” DeBerry said. “They put the ball in play, but nothing spectacular, and we didn’t make a couple of plays we should have.”
Laurel Highlands missed the playoffs last season, but has started strong and avenged some losses from last year in a big way.
The Mustangs lost twice to Latrobe and Thomas Jefferson, and once to Franklin Regional in 2017. LH defeated the Jaguars, 15-3, on Wednesday, and pounded the Panthers, 14-0, on Apr. 6.
DeBerry’s team has wins over McKeesport (15-0) and Woodland Hills (15-1). Laurel Highlands is scheduled to play at Gateway (2-1, 3-1) on Monday at 7 p.m. before welcoming county-rival Albert Gallatin (2-1, 3-3) to Tom Landman Field on Wednesday at 4 p.m.
“Gateway has a lot coming back and they are talented,” DeBerry said. “It has been a great start, but we want to keep playing well and taking it one game at a time.
“We have a pretty close-knit group, and I think they will be fine. Even if we lose a game, I feel like these kids will bounce back. These kids all play for each other.”