Tigers win Perky League title

Lansdale sweeps Valley Forge for 1st championship in 53 years

UPPER GWYNEDD » The “Swinging 60’s” are back in Lansdale.

Powered by Finals MVP Chad Evans, who drove in another two runs in Thursday night’s series-clinching win over Valley Forge, the Tigers captured their first Perky League title since 1969.

“It’s a great feeling. Any time you win a championship, it’s always a great feeling, especially with this group of guys,” said Evans, joining his team on the infield grass at Hostelley Field, following the 5-0 climax to the season. “It’s always fun to play with these guys and I’ve learned a lot throughout the year. This is the icing on top — it’s amazing to be out here.”

Wins — and teams — like this don’t come around often, and quite fittingly, Lansdale did it under a full moon.

Said Evans: “Sometimes you want those close games in a championship series, but not here. We just wanted to come in, take care of business, and get it done early. And that’s what we did.”

Everything came together for the Tigers.

Following Wednesday night’s tense finish, in which Lansdale clung to a 12-11 victory, the Tigers completed their 3-0 sweep of a strong Aces squad with Evans slugging his way at the plate and with the sturdy right arm of Matt Sperling shouldering much of the load.

Lansdale plated four runs in the second inning to break the game open.

Trey Porter and Nolan McCloskey got it started with back-to-back singles against Aces starter Frank Fiumecaldo.

Rob Zinsmeister doubled in a run and Evans plated two with a single. Evans later came in to score on an error and it was 4-0 Tigers.

Evans was a consistent offensive force for the Tigers, scoring five times and driving in four more over the three games.

“That was unexpected,” he said of earning MVP honors, “especially coming in as a DH. You’re only playing the offensive half of the game. For my team to see me as that big of an influence on the team is a great honor, especially with this group that I’ve been playing with.”

Lansdale added one more run in the fifth, when Jason Mills doubled to left and later scored on a ground ball by Porter, making it 5-0.

That was more than enough of a lead for Sperling.

The veteran went the distance, allowing just four hits while racking up 11 strikeouts against just one walk and one hit batter.

“You know what you get out of Sperling,” Lansdale manager Jeff Murtha said. “And we’ve become pretty good friends over the years, coaching together at Methacton. I knew, talking to him last night, that he was super focused. He came into it today all business.”

Murtha’s managing touch has produced back-to-back titles: he guided the Skippack Lumberjacks to the crown a season ago.

“A lot of sacrifices go into this and this one was particularly special,” said Murtha. “I had my daughter the first week of the season and had been gone every single night, so I said to her and my wife, when I get this one, it’s going in her room.

“Last year’s team we were so stacked,” he said. “This year’s team, we had guys not necessarily playing every day, contributing in meaningful games for us. And that just made it so special.”

Murtha brought Lansdale to the brink of a title when he managed the squad a few seasons back.

“We couldn’t get over that hurdle so to bring one back to Lansdale means a lot,” he said. “This is probably the most fun I’ve had coaching because everyone has known their role and has executed perfectly.”