Horoshko becomes big addition for Lehigh Valley

Brian Horoshko didn’t make Lehigh Valley’s original 25man roster for the Carpenter Cup Classic baseball tournament.

He learned Tuesday night he not only would play in Lehigh Valley’s opener against Suburban One League American/ Continental but hit cleanup.

Horoshko, a Central Catholic junior, responded by smacking an RBI double in his first-at bat Wednesday. He added a tworun single and finished 3-for-3 to lead Lehigh Valley to an 8-4 win at the UYA Showcase Field in Philadelphia’s FDR Park.

Horoshko received a promotion from alternate to starting right fielder when Easton’s Cam Hubbard was sidelined. His production helped Lehigh Valley open a 6-0 lead after four innings.

“He played a big part in that game,” Lehigh Valley manager Ted Plessl said of Horoshko on the road back from Philadelphia. “Defensively, I would say all the way around, we played super ball.”

Horoshko led a parade of Lehigh Valley players who contributed in their initial Carpenter Cup game. Northampton junior Evan Zwolenik started and fired three shutout innings. He allowed three hits and struck out three.

Emmaus sophomore Braden Waller followed his breakout postseason by throwing three shutout innings of one-hit relief. He struck out two.

Pocono Mountain West sophomore JD Greeley added two hits, while Parkland freshman Blake Barthol went 2-for-3 with two runs. Salisbury sophomore Quinn Warmkessel, one of seven returning players for Lehigh Valley, added two hits, including an RBI triple.

Northwestern Lehigh senior Derek Holmes, another firstyear player, gave Lehigh Valley breathing room when he ripped a two-run single off Central Bucks East sophomore and Virginia commit Nick Bitsko in the eighth inning. That set the final score.

Lehigh Valley advanced to Friday’s quarterfinals against either Berks County or Delaware County. First pitch is 2 p.m. at the UYA Ashburn Field in FDR Park.