Deep Run handles Stroudsburg
Close games are inevitable in a state tournament. Every team is giving their absolute best, especially in a double elimination scenario. The best way to come out with a win in that situation is to out-hit the opposition. Deep Run hit its way to an opening game win.
Led by a 10-hit output from the offense, Deep Run overcame a see-saw game early to down Stroudsburg, 9-5, on Thursday at Limeport. Although the two clubs traded runs early on, three multiple-run innings LQ WKH WKLUG, IRuUWK DQG fiIWK made sure Deep Run kept its distance and eventually Stroudsburg ran out of innings.
“I think we got good solid pitching, played decent defense and hit well with two strikes,” Deep Run coach Todd Alderfer said. “That was really key to the win. We just kept an even keel. We were consistent and were good on the bases.”
The two teams almost mirrored each other in the middle innings. Deep Run took a 1-0 lead into the third, but Stroudsburg scored a pair in the top half. That got the Deep Run bats going, however, as Alderfer’s club doubled that in the bottom half. RBI singles by Ryan Gordon, Tyler Freed and Brad Misialek, along with a pair scored on defensive miscues, gave Deep Run what appeared to be a secure lead.
But Stroudsburg was not there to fold after one inning. They fought hard and tied the game in the top of the fourth, an inning that would be sparked by an early error.
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The similarities on offense stopped there.
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“We were really consistent at the plate. The guys took extra bases when they were there,” Alderfer said. “vou can tell their heads were in the game.”
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“Big Frank came in and threw strikes, which is what we ask of him,” Alderfer VDLG. “HH GRHVn’W WKrRw YHry KDrG EuW KLV EDOO PRYHV. HH’V D JRRG rHOLDEOH rHOLHYHr EHcause he is durable.”