Conrad leads Whippets to title

Downingtown West claims Ches-Mont National Division crown

DOWNINGTOWN » If you are going to win a division championship, then you might as well make it as intense and exciting as possible. That is exactly what the Downigntown West baseball team did Wednesday afternoon against Avon Grove. Behind the stellar pitching of ace Doug Conrad, the Whippets jumped out to a three-run lead after four innings.

But the Red Devils were not done. After plating a run in the top of the sixth inning, Avon Grove loaded the bases with two out in the bottom of the seventh before Conrad struck out Andrew Brady -- his eighth of the game -- with a nasty curveball to nail down the 3-2 win and give the Whippets their first ChesMont League National Division championship since the Downingtown schools split.

“This is just a great and amazing feeling,” Conrad said. “It was one of our first goals before the season started and to accomplish it is an incredible feeling. Today, was a tough game, but my defense came through for me like they have all season.”

As Conrad and Mike Dietz, a pair of left-handers, battled through three scoreless innings, it appeared the game would be a taut affair. Downingtown West (15-3 Ches-Mont, 15-4 overall) broke through in the fourth.

Josh Marcelli led off with a sharp single to left field. Eric Small then lifted a Dietz fastball to right fot a hit to put runners on first and second. The runners moved up on a balk, and after Toby Welk flied to center for the first out, Conrad laid down a perfect bunt that Dietz could not handle, scoring Marcelli. Ja- son Borosky reached on an error to score the second run. Colin Domblesky lofted a high sacrifice fly to right to stake Conrad to a 3-0 lead.

“We had some adversity in the fourth inning on the balk call and a real close play at the plate,” Avon Grove coach Dave Whitcraft said. “But, our kids have not let any adversity get to them all season and they knocked at the door and battled back. I am extremely proud of them.”

Avon Grove (11- 6, 11- 6) touched Conrad for a single

“This is just a great and amazing feeling. It was one of our first goals before the season started and to accomplish it is an incredible feeling. ”