Moticha sparks Steinert’s comeback win
HAMILTON >> The start to Steven Moticha’s season read like something out of a Steven King horror novel, but on Wednesday, Moticha turned into Hopewell Valley’s biggest nightmare.
Snapping out of a brutal early slump, the senior right fielder doubled home the tying run and scored the game winner as Steinert’s baseball team struck for two in the seventh for a 2-1, walk-off win over the Bulldogs.
The rally ended a classic pitcher’s duel between UNC-Ashville-bound Greg Gasparro and Rutgersbound Kyle Muller, who was touched for a run in the top of the seventh to make the Spartans’ comeback necessary.
It was the kind of game one would expect to see at Arm& Hammer Stadiumin the MCT final.
“I told the guys before the game it’s gonna be like a playoff atmosphere today,” Hopewell coach Ken Harrison said. “We knew it would be a good match-up, it definitely had the feel of a playoff game and I don’t think it disappointed.”
“You have two great Division I pitchers on the mound, and they showed it today,” Steinert coach Brian Giallella said. “It was really just an awesome game. There was great defense, their shortstop (Will Karp) played awesome. It was a great baseball game, let alone a great high school game.”
After both struck out 11 on opening day, neither pitcher completely dominated. Muller allowed five hits and hit a better while striking out seven over the first six innings. Gasparro allowed four hits and three walks during that time. Each were helped by their catchers -- Josh deDufour and Kenny Zahn -- throwing out would-be base stealers.
In the top of the seventh, Cameron Kane hit a one-out single and pinch-runner Zach Bregenzer went to second on an out at first. Freshman Liam Cleary then singled in the game’s first run.
In the bottom of the inning, Cameron Bruschini drew a leadoff walk and pinch-runner Chris Harkness went all the way to third on Jake Muller’s sacrifice, as HoVal had the rotation play on.
That brought up Moticha, who hit into a double play in the first and grounded out with the bases loaded to end the fourth. For the season he was 0-for-8 with four strikeouts and two double plays.
Having hit .395 last year, however, the big red head knew his time was coming.
“I’ve had a little bad luck lately,” Moticha said. “No one likes to hit into double plays for sure. But I’m confident in my swing. I knew if I kept swinging, I could find a hole.”
With a 1-1 count, he drove a Gasparro fastball into right field for a double to score Harkness.
“I told the guys I felt bad because I botched the ball in right when they scored, so just give me a chance to redeem myself, and I was able to,” Moticha said. “It was on the outside corner, he was giving me the same pitch all day and I was grounding it to shortstop. I made sure I stayed through and put it out into right center.”
Moticha then stole third with two outs to set up the winning play.
“I don’t think they were expecting that, I don’t usually do it,” Moticha said. “They were playing off so I figured let’s take a shot.”
Shane Keledy followed with a bunt toward the mound that Gasparro had to field in a hurry. His throw to first pulled Kane off the bag as the Spartans dugout emptied in celebration.
“Shane had a great bunt and great hustle running it out,” Moticha said. “Once he was safe we went crazy. It was a great win.”
And a heart-breaking loss.
“It was tough,” Harrison said. “We didn’t execute there at the end. We make a couple throws and we probably win the ball game. Greg is tough. He battles. We played great defense up until the last inning.”
Follow Rich Fisher on twitter @fish4scores