PUNXSUTAWNEY, Pa. (D9Sports) – Scoring a pair of runs on an error on a ball hit by Tylor Herzing with two outs in the top of the seventh innings, fifth-seeded Elk County Catholic stunned top-seeded DuBois Central Catholic, 8-6, in the District 9 Class 1A semifinals at Punxsutawney’s Kuntz Field.
(Photo: Elk County Catholic’s Tylor Herzing reached on an error that scored two runs to help the Crusaders upset top-seeded DuBois Central Catholic in the D9 1A semifinals Thursday. Photo by Christie Datko)
In a game that ECC led 6-1 after 3 ½ innings, the Crusaders found themselves tied at six after DCC scored three in the bottom of the fourth and two more in the fifth.
But in the seventh, a walk and an error on DCC with one out gave ECC runners on first and second for Dan Wimer, who singled to center. But DCC centerfielder Brandon Walker gunned out Brennen Klawuhn at home for the second out with runners going to second and third on the throw.
Another walk loaded the bases before Herzing’s ball was mishandled giving ECC the lead.
DCC got a leadoff walk and a two-out walk in the bottom of the seventh before Brady Schneider struck out Anthony Kness to secure the win.
Herzing was 2-for-4 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI, while Alec Wehler was 2-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and an RBI for ECC. Also for the Crusaders, Taylor Boland was 1-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.
Domenic Toretti was 3-for-4 with a double, a triple and three runs scored for DCC with Tyler McIntosh going 2-for-4 with a run scored and an RBI and Walker going 1-for-4 with a double and two RBIs.
Schneider got the win in relief of Boland going two scoreless innings not allowing a hit while walking two and striking out four. Boland pitched five innings allowing six runs, all earned, on 11 hits and a walk while striking out three.
Kness, the third DCC pitcher, took the loss. He gave up two unearned runs on two hits and three walks while striking out three in three innings of work.
Cole Sansom started and pitched three innings allowing five runs, all earned, on six hits and three walks while striking out one. Toretti went an inning giving up a run on two hits and two walks.
ECC will play Otto-Eldred in the title game at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, May 28, at Showers Field in DuBois.
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