Coatesville rallied from a two run hole to claim a huge Ches-Mont win By Dave Conard Sports Editor, CoatesvilleTimes.com
Coatesville sophomore left hander Brian Brown has the composure of a veteran
COATESVILLE—Call it a hunch, a spine tingle, intuition or what ever other descriptive term they use these days for coaches and the feeling that they some times get in their belly just before something good or bad happens.
In his 26 years of coaching Hal Ziegler has had his share of moments that made him say hmmmmmmmm, Monday night’s walk off solo home run by catcher Jake Kennedy, which lifted the Red Raiders to a 5-4 come from behind Ches-Mont league win over Unionville, would fall in that category.
“I had just told my son (assistant coach Lance Ziegler), watch this he is going to hit one out, because he is mad,” said Hal Ziegler. “Before I could finish the words, there it went. That is what this team is about they just keep battling, I could not be prouder.”
Kennedy, who by no fault of his own had fallen behind in the count 1-2, battled back to run a full count after watching a ball that almost clipped him get called for a strike, then a fastball right down the middle be called a ball, seemed agitated as he stepped in for the fate full offering.
The Red Raiders junior did not have the same trouble that it appeared the home plate umpire was having picking up the ball out of the hand of Unionville right-hander Ryan Koehler, as he wasted no time jumping on a fast ball in the heart of the plate, depositing it over the left-centerfield wall.
“Man that was a tough at bat,” said Kennedy. “That was brutal, I just had to defend there and he gave me a fast ball right down the middle that I got the barrel of the bat on. Then it was C-Mac time!”
Red Raiders junior catcher Jake Kennnedy delivers a walk off home run in Monday's game
C-Mac time! a celebration that Kennedy (2-for-4, run, 2 RBI) and his team mates hope they get to announce a lot this season, a tribute to their fallen team mate Colin McElroy, who lost his life tragically in a car accident last summer, as the Red Raiders trot as team to the fence in centerfield after each win.
“This was a big win for us tonight,” added Ziegler, whose squad battled to tie the game with two runs in the sixth inning. “The kids have dedicated the season to the memory of Colin and coach Lawrence who we also lost last July, We got great pitching tonight from Brownie (sophomore Brian Brown) and our relievers.”
Starting left-hander Brian Brown, who fanned seven Indians as he negotiated his way through the potent Unionville line up, got things cooking in the sixth offensively for the Red Raiders as he worked a walk, giving the host a much needed base runners as the Indians had just extended their lead in the previous at bat.
With two down in the frame, junior Taylor DiEgenio delivered a single driving in Brown and Chris O’Hagan, who had led off with a base hit, knotting the game at four.
Coatesville senior Justin Moore set the Indians down in order in the top half of the seventh, recording two strike out in one inning of work for the Red Raiders, who improved to 3-4 overall on the season, setting the stage for Kennedy’s heroics.
Unionville 0 0 1 1 1 1 0 -4
Coatesville 2 0 0 0 0 2 1 -5
Pitching IP R ER H K BB
Koehler (LP) 7 5 3 9 9 3
Brown 5 3 2 6 7 4
Martinez 1 1 1 2 1 0
The Red Raiders greet Kennedy at home after his walk off blast
Moore 1 0 0 0 2 0
Way to go Coatesville Red Raiders! Keep up the great work & continue battling through one team at a time. Best of luck to my Dad & the whole team for continued success!
Lets goo!! C-Mac time will be herd a lot this season.