Upper Moreland holds off Central Bucks

In a Pendel League thiller at Masons Mill Park, the Upper Moreland Rebels took an early lead to take a 5-4 victory over the Central Bucks Brewers on Thursday night.

After leaving one runner on third base to start the game, the Rebels came up big with three runs in the bottom of the first with two of them coming on a two-out double from Randy Meehl.

Central Bucks was able to bounce back with one run in the top of the second inning when Steve Brookwell scored on a wild pitch to make the score 3-1.

The Brewers later made it a one-run game in the top of the third inning after Matt Ernst scored on a double from Pete Corrigan to make the score 3-2 in Upper Moreland’s favor.

After a scoreless fourth inning, the Rebels finally responded from the two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

After Daniel Zamarin and Ryan Lowry started the inning with back-to-back singles, Kyle Irwin scored Zamarin after crushing a ground-rule double to centerfield to make the score 4-2 and put two runners in scoring position with two outs.

Lowry later scored in the next at bat on a wild pitch to make the score 5-2 after five innings.

The Brewers responded immediately in the top of the sixth inning with two runs of their own when Nathan Wilson hit a twoout two-run double to make the score 5-4 after six innings.

Central Bucks was threating to score with the tying run on third base, but a fielders choice with runners on third and first base finished the game and gave the Rebels the thrilling victory.

Central Bucks starting pitcher Kody Cracknell earned the loss after letting go five earned runs and striking out five Rebels.

Upper Moreland Nick Picareilo earned the victory despite only throwing three innings and giving up two runs.

Rebel relief pitcher Zach Vittorelli earned the save throwing for four innings and striking out four Brewers.

“I wasn’t in the zone in the last few innings,” said Vittorelli. “but I cleaned it up later so it was great.”

“Heading into the game I just wanted to pound the strike zone,” added Vittorelli. “I wasn’t really nervous at the seventh, just wanted to get it done for our guys.”

Upper Moreland head coach Ken Irwin was pleased with his squad’s performance in the close victory.

“We played well against a really good pitcher,” said Irwin. “We swung the bats really well. The Brewers always come back with their good players so the game is never over until it’s over.”

The loss snaps a four-game winning streak for the Central

Bucks Brewers and its just the second loss in the last seven games.

The Upper Moreland Rebels will continue their fivegame home stand on Tuesday, June 26 against the Newtown Pirates at 6:15 p.m.

The Central Bucks Brewers will look to bounce back as they will continue their five-game road trip with a doubleheader at Middletown Grange to take on the Northampton Orioles on Sunday, June 24 at 1:00 and 3:30 p.m.

CB 0110020—440

UM 300020X—590

WP: Picareilo 3.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB,3K

LP: Cracknell 5.0 IP, 8 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB,5K

Notable Hitters (Central Bucks): Pete Corrigan: 1-for-3, 2B, 1 RBI Nathan Wilson: 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI Matt Ernst: 1-for-3, BB Notable Hitters (Upper Moreland): Kyle Irwin: 2-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI Randy Meehl: 1-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI Daniel Zamarin: 2-for-3