The Times Herald (Norristown, PA)
Brewers stay hot with win over Valley Forge
Ambler stay hot with win over Valley Forge
HORSHAM » Darkness came early but Ambler bats struck earlier, pushing seven runs across in the second inning Wednesday night on the way to an 8-4 victory over first-place Valley Forge.
“They’re one of the teams at the top of the standings, so we knew coming in that we wanted to come out ready to play and compete,” said starting right hander and No. 3 hitter Pete Moore.
Moore retired the first six batters he faced, Ambler batted around in the second, and the Brewers continued their surge with the victory at Hatboro-Horsham High School. The game was called to darkness after four and a half innings.
Moore did it at the plate and on the mound, singling in Brett Reynolds (walk) to make it 1-0 in the first against young right hander Jacob Marcus. He also struck out the side in the first and sat down the Bucks in order in the second.
“I felt good. (Catcher) Shaun (Thomas) caught a great game,” said Moore, who raised his record to 4-1. “I didn’t have to shake him off at all I don’t think. I felt like I commanded all three pitches — fastball, cutter and the changeup.
“And Shaun was putting them down at the right time.”
Ambler (9-6-2) broke it open in the bottom of the second.
Matt Altieri doubled to lead off
the inning, and after Eric Ruhland and Shaun Thomas walked, No. 9 hitter Sam Plaugher singled to drive in a pair and make it 3-0.
A throwing error widened the gap to 5-0, and Ambler was soon into the Bucks’ bullpen. Altieri got his second hit of the inning, slicing a single to right to bring in two and make it 7-0, and Ruhland’s RBI single boosted it to an 8-0 advantage.
“We had good, patient at-bats,” said Moore, who reached twice with a run and an RBI. “We didn’t get too anxious.”
Valley Forge, missing multiple starters due to the early start on the road, got on the board in the fourth, taking advantage of three Ambler errors and hits by Ryan Keen and Eric Beideman, cutting the deficit to 8-3.
Raymond Gambone pitched well in relief for Valley Forge (10-4-2), striking out the side in the fourth.
Nick Mulvey’s RBI double brought Valley Forge closer in the fifth, tightening it to 8-4.
Moore didn’t allow an earned run for Ambler, striking out eight with no walks.
Both teams are back in action Thursday — Ambler is at Lansdale at 7:30 p.m. and Valley Forge hosts NorGwyn at 8:30.