Kee helps Knights keep runs coming
NORTH WALES » Knights Baseball hasn’t stopped scoring in the Bux-Mont Classic and doesn’t intend to any time soon.
The Knights have racked up 27 runs in their two games thus far, most recently a 14-2, five-inning victory (mercy rule) over Allentown RBI Wednesday night at Hostelley Field.
“It’s a great feeling to get out here and play — one last week with these guys (from North Penn High) and just have fun,” said Alex Kee, who helped get the hitting festivities started in the bottom of the first. “We’re just smoking the ball. The pitching hasn’t been as fast as what we’re used to, so we’re taking advantage and hitting...repeatedly.”
Fast start >> Allentown provided the first flicker of the scoreboard in its first at-bat.
Kevin Montero led things off with a single and scored on a fielder’s choice. Knights starter Charlie Marger, who struck out a pair in his two innings of work to get the W, prevented any further damage.
The Knights answered in the bottom half against Allentown starter Owen Mall.
Kee ripped a two-RBI single to left, pushing the Knights in front, 2-1.
Said Kee: “When we’re walking a lot (11 walks, two hit by pitch), it feeds into our energy and then if we can get one big hit, it just keeps it going.
“(My hit) could have been better — it was off the end of the bat, but it was good enough.”
Allentown tied it in the second when a single by Jahved Rolon scored a run, but the Knights broke it open in their second atbat.
Nicky Koch drew a walk, Nathan Brown was hit by a pitch, and Evin Sullivan also walked to load the bases.
A ground ball by Erik Jesberger resulted in a fielder’s choice and a run scored, Chris McLeon’s sac fly scored another, and Colby Chan came through with a linedrive single to center, pushing the Knights’ lead to 5-2.
The victory was pretty much cemented in the third, when a combination of walks and errors helped the Knights widen the gap to 11-2.
With the lineup turning over in the fifth, new hitters like Co
lin Orndorff (RBI single) provided some nice at-bats to push the contest into mercy-rule territory.
“We have great potential. We probably could have went far (in the spring) but it is what it is,” Kee said. “I have good hope for us going all the way in this tournament.”
North Penn takes on a familiar foe on Friday, going against Indians Baseball (from Souderton Area High) at Memorial Park in Lansdale at 7 p.m.
“They’re probably gonna come out with their best stuff and we’re definitely gonna come out with our best stuff too,” Kee said.
The Knights played with a sense of urgency on Wednesday.
“We’re playing like it’s our last game because for most of these guys, it is their last time playing together,” Knights coach Kevin Manero said. “They’re playing with a little bit of extra fire.
“We’re following a lot of guidelines like wearing masks and social distancing and hand sanitizer and all of the things that come along with the world today, but all those things are a very small sacrifice to be able to play baseball.”
Knights Baseball 14, Allentown RBI 2 (5)
Allentown 11000-256
Knights 2363x-1440
WP: Charlie Marger (2IP, 2R, 2ER, 4H, 2K, 2BB).
LP: Owen Mall (2IP, 5R, 4ER, 2H, 1K, 5BB, 1HBP).
2B: A-Gabe Revas.
Multiple hitters: A-Ian Snyder 2-for-2, R.