Krentzmans holds off Moose; wins Super Series

By rscaife
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Updated: June 14, 2017

By Kenny Varner

STRODES MILLS – During the regular season, Krentzmans seem to have the Moose team’s number, defeating them in their two previous meetings.
Since then, the Moose had run the gambit and ended as regular season Mifflin County Cal Ripken Major League title.
It seemed fitting that the two would meet one more time with the Super Series title on the line.
The night offensively belonged to Krentzmans despite the never-say-die efforts of Moose.
In the end, Krentzmans came out the victors of a 16-3 (five inning) contest.
“We just try to tell them all the time to just drive the ball and tonight the fell in the gaps and we ran the bases well,” Krentzmans manager John Pannizzo said.
Offensively, brothers Xavier Smith and Jayden Smith had a flare for the long ball as Xavier hit a 2-run shot and Jayden roped a 3-run roundtripper late and was robbed in the first by a great play in the outfield by Moose’s Reed Earnest.
However, Jayden was just a triple short of hitting for the cycle.
JP Pannizzo was also a tough out on the night going a perfect 3-for-3 with three runs scored and an RBI.
Evan Hosterman went 3-for-4 and scored two runs.
Moose was led offensively by Reed Earnest who roped a solo shot and a single while collecting two RBI.
Duey Reed rounded out the multiple hitters going 2-for-2 with a run.
“They (Moose) are a great team. These guys were just outstanding all year round. They played hard every single game,” Moose manager Zach Johnson said. “They had the best attitudes I ever had the privilege in coaching. I would take these boys any day over any team. I’m very proud of them.”
On the mound, Krentzmans went with Xavier Smith while Moose went with Aaden Earnest.
Smith set the tone on the mound early, striking out four in the first two scoreless innings.
“Usually I like to bring Xavier in a little later in the game but we wanted to set the tone today. It was a big time game. That Moose team is probably the toughest we faced all year and I wanted to set the tone with him,” Pannizzo said.
Krentzmans opened the scoring in the bottom of the first when Ty Plank tripled to start a 2-out rally.
Teammates Jack Benner and Caden Brumbaugh followed with walks, loading the bases with Pannizzo at bat.
Pannizzo roped a hard grounder that bounced off the pitcher allowing Plank to score and everyone to reach their base safely.
Jayden Smith missed his first home run of the year as his blast over the centerfield fence was brought down by Earnest.
The visitors held the Moose in the bottom of the inning.
Back came the bats as Krentzmans rallied for a six run inning.
Evan Hosterman singled twice in the inning as Krentzmans brought 11 batters to the plate.
For the second inning in-a-row, Krentzmans defense held Moose scoreless.
While their bats were still sizzling, Krentzmans played two more runs thanks to the 3-run shot by Xavier Smith, taking a 9-0 advantage.
In the bottom of the third, Moose rallied back to chip a little into the lead.
Reed led the inning off with a smoking line drive up the middle. He then advanced on a wild pitch.
Isaac Wilson sent Reed to third when he too smacked one back up the middle, putting runners on the corners.
Earnest brought Reed in on a sacrifice fly.
Wilson moved up to third on two wild pitches to set the stage for Myka Simmons. Simmons brought in Wilson on an RBI fielders choice, cutting it to 9-2.
Krentzmans added to its lead in the top of the fourth, playing two more runs of their own.
But they weren’t done yet as Krentzmans exploded for five more runs in the top of the fifth, highlighted by the 3-run homer by Jayden Smith, when the dust settled Krentzmans led 16-2.
With nothing but pride on the line, Moose gave it one last shot.
Earnest blasted a solo homer in and Simmons, Braden Bubb and Trevor Miles were able to reach base before the Krentzmans defense ended the game in style with a 5-2-3 double play.