Exeter’s run comes to an end
Daniel Boone, Exeter suffer season-ending defeats in Berks County playoffs
Blue Jays’ run ends to surging Norchester
WEST LAWN >> They had been playing American Legion baseball together for five years, Exeter leadoff man Chris Smith and pitcher Dylan Richards.
That’s what made it especially tough to say good-bye to their Legion season and tenure after an 8-1 defeat to Norchester Sunday in the Berks County League American Legion playoffs.
Exeter American Legion manager Anthony Fegley had been coaching Smith and Richards all that time. You’re never too old to cry, and Fegley’s tears represented all these good years with good players and kids like Smith and Richards.
“It’s been a good group,” Fegley said. “I’ve been coaching these seniors for a long time, especially these two (Smith and Richards), with me for five years, including fall ball. Our seniors have been through it for a long time and they have given me a lot. You’re happy for that, and you hope they continue with their suc- cess. A lot of these guys are going on to play college baseball. They have a lot left in them.”
Richards will play at Penn State-Berks, Smith at Philadelphia University.
“These coaches literally brought the game to me,” Smith said. “They showed me everything I needed to know. It’s just so hard leaving them.”
“Playing with the same kids for
such a long time and realizing it’s the end, it stinks,” Richards said. “But the memories will last forever.”
A five-run third for Norchester was the big difference. The only unbeaten in the Berks playoffs, the Bulldogs will play Boyertown, which survived the losers bracket, tonight at 7 at Owls Field with the championship on the line. A Boyertown win would mean a return engagement Tuesday night for the title.
Norchester’s Dan Stofko pitched a smooth complete game and Alex Condello led a balanced offense with a 3-for-4, three-RBI, two-run performance. Stofko’s innings-eating was especially valuable for the Norchester pitching staff, especially in the event it has to play Boyertown twice in the next two days.
“Coach called the right pitches and I hit my locations,” Stofko said.
Batting first, Exeter scored in the first, when Smith singled, advanced on a single by Eric Nein, a bunt from Jon Lach and came in
on Jake Fry’s groundout. Norchester answered in the bottom half on Joe Zgleszewski’s sacrifice fly after a walk and bunt positioned Andy Fisher for the run.
It was 3-1 Norchester when cleanup hitter Condello delivered a two-run double to the rightfield corner in the third, scoring Ryan McGinley and
Zgleszewski, both of whom had singled. With two outs in the inning, Eric Keppel made it a three-run game, singling to left and plating Condello. It was 5-1 when Ryan Cusic singled sharply over the pitching mound and 6-1 on Austin Levengood’s base rip.
“I’ve got to give (Norchester) coach (Rick) Harrison credit - that team hits,” Fegley said. “I expected us to do a little better offensively. I tip my hat to them and wish
them luck going forward. “
Stofko trusted his stuff and his defense. After allowing consecutive singles to open the game and a run in the first, he threw one-hit ball through the next four innings, and no-run ball over the last eight.
He’s pumped for the opportunity to beat Boyertown for the Berks title.
“They have a good team, I think we have one of the better leagues,” Stofko said. “I think most people would
expect a Norchester-Boyertown championship game. Boyertown is looked at as the top team, but I would say that we are better, and I think that will be proven if we win (Monday).”
In the sixth Exeter mounted a threat, with basehits from Alex Barlow, Nate Serba and Nick Klee, but Stofko got a groundout to end the inning.
Richards, Smith and Feg-
ley were sad to see it end but they’re excited for the Exeter team’s future.
“We had a lot of new guys on our team this year along with the core guys,” Richards said. “The new guys stepped in and did a great job.”
“We have seven guys back next year,” Fegley said. “We’re still in a good spot. We’re not worried about the future, but it’s tough today.”