Bears’ bats break out against Twin Valley

Boyertown’s Cisik, Kline combine to allow three hits in 4-1 victory over Twin Valley

BOYERTOWN >> After not scoring for 20 consecutive innings, Boyertown finally broke through with three runs in the second Friday night to take the lead over Twin Valley. And that was enough for the Bears as Stephen Cisik and Nolan Kline combined on a three-hitter in a 4-1 win in the second round of the Berks County Legion League playoffs at Bear Stadium.

Ethan Martin gave secondseeded Boyertown (21-7) a 3-1 lead with a two-run single and Broc Babb reached base three times and singled in an insurance run in the sixth. The Bears faced top-seeded Norchester, a 6-3 winner over West Lawn, in the winners’ bracket final at 6 p.m. Saturday at West Lawn’s Owls Field. The third-seeded Raiders (11-8) hosted Oley-Topton Post 217 at 10 a.m.

“It was nice to finally get some runs,” said Babb, who doubled to start the first, but was stranded along with two other Bears. “Get the bats going again, score some runs, have a good time.”

“Broc’s been our spark plug all year. We dropped him in the 1-hole early in the season and he never gave it up. He likes the pressure. He’s aggressive on the bases. Defensively, he and (shortstop) Chris (Davis) have been the cornerstones.” – Boyertown manager Rick Moatz on second baseman Broc Babb after Friday’s 4-1 win over Twin Valley.

The Raiders scored in the first on a leadoff walk by Dom Kennedy, an infield hit by Matt Passerini that advanced the runner to third and a grounder by Blake Greenley. But Cisik threw a 1-2-3 second with two strikeouts and the Bears scored three times with two away in their half.

Pat Wieand singled with one out and Babb walked and Chase Mercon singled with two gone. Then Chris Davis walked on a 3-2 pitch to force in a run and Martin singled through the middle for two more.

That all helped run Raider starter Pierce Rucci’s pitch count to 56 through the first two frames.

“We’ve just got to work those pitchers,” said Babb. “We’ve got to come out tomorrow and do the same thing. We’ve got to keep the fundamentals going.”

“We didn’t score in the first inning, but we got the pitch count up,” said Boyertown manager Rick Moatz. “We got the bats going a little better tonight.”

Twin Valley threatened in the fourth with two-out singles by Sean Kennedy and Koy Zdimal, but Bear catcher Billy Coleman gunned down the runner trying to steal third. Then Cisik walked four straight batters in the fifth, but Coleman threw out the first one at second on a steal try and Cisik fanned a batter with the bases loaded to end the inning.

“He really held it together, really came through for us,” Babb said concerning Cisik. “He did a nice job.”

The Bears added the run in the sixth on an error, a single by Sam Legerton and a line drive hit to left by second baseman Babb.

“Broc’s been our spark plug all year,” said Moatz. “We dropped him in the 1-hole early in the season and he never gave it up. He likes the pressure. He’s aggressive on the bases. Defensively, he and (shortstop) Chris (Davis) have been the cornerstones. We’ve had as many double plays as we

AUSTIN HERTZOG - MEDIANEWS GROUP Boyertown shortstop Chris Davis tags out Twin Valley’s Dom Kennedy at second base during a Berks County League playoff game on Friday.

Left, Boyertown pitcher Stephen Cisik throws out a Twin Valley batter on a comebacker during a Berks County League playoff game on Saturday. Top right, Boyertown third baseman Ethan Martin tags out Twin Valley’s Sean Kennedy at third base. Bottom right, Boyertown second baseman Broc Babb throws to first base for an out.

have in a long time. He and Chris have solidified the defense.” Cisik settled down for a 1-2-3 sixth, finishing with seven walks and five strikeouts. Kline earned the save with a perfect seventh on two strikeouts and a grounder back to the mound.