First-place Valley Forge topples Ambler
KING OF PRUSSIA » Valley Forge pounded out 10 singles and got a mighty swing from Ryan Richter in the third inning, further cementing its place atop the Perky League standings with a 6-3 victory over Ambler Wednesday night.
“It’s very nice. We’re trying to get as many wins as we can before the playoffs,” said Richter, who was 2-for-4 with a run and three RBI.
The Bucks raised their record to 12-4 while the Brewers dropped to 5-8 on the season.
Richter’s three-run home run to left put Valley Forge in front for good at Heuser Park.
“It felt good. I had been slumping a little bit,” the shortstop said. “It gave us a little something to work with.” EARLY PUSH » Ambler dented the scoreboard in its second at-bat.
Jim Fasano belted a double off the fence in right and Jason Kelmer drew a walk to give the Brewers two men on against right hander Rob Barth.
With two outs, Nick Fasano smacked a single through the left side to score Jim Fasano and give Ambler a 1-0 lead.
TAKING CONTROL » Valley Forge answered in a big way in the third.
Matt Seiple singled and Mike Kelly legged out an infield hit.
With one out and two on, Richter (Conestoga/Penn State) got a hold of a fastball and sent it deep into the night, his three
run shot to left catapulting the Bucks into the lead at 3-1.
David Clay followed with an RBI single up the middle later that inning to widen the gap to 4-1.
Valley Forge padded the lead further in the fifth against Ambler relief.
Matt Ernst and Mike Kelly each came through with RBI singles, extending the lead to 6-1.
“We had been struggling a little bit putting the bat on the ball but tonight we brought it together and hopefully we can keep it going,” Richter said. “If we’re hitting like we were tonight, we’re a good team. Tough to beat. We have good pitchers too.”
Right hander Rob Barth threw six strong innings for the Bucks to get the win.
Ambler cut into the lead a bit in the seventh, with runs driven in by J.D. Hemminger and Jason Mills providing the final margin.
Valley Forge is off until Monday, when it faces Ambler again back at Heuser Park at 7:30.
The Brewers were back in action Thursday night, for a doubleheader with Collegeville.
Valley Forge 6, Ambler 3
Valley Forge 004 020 0 - 6 11 0
Ambler 0100002-370
WP: Rob Barth (6IP, 1R, 1ER, 4H, 6K, 2BB). LP: Doug Brown (3IP, 4R, 4ER, 6H, 1K, 1BB).
HR: VF-Ryan Richter. 2B: A-Jim Fasano. Multiple hits: VF-Mike Kelly 2-for-4, RBI; Richter 2-for-4, R, 3RBI; David Clay 2-for4, R, RBI; Matt Seiple 2-for-3, R; A-Fasano 2-for-3, BB, R.