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Tuesday, July 29, 2008
West Lawn Advances to Junior Legion Finals
Greater Reading, PA
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By: Dave Conard
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Photo(s) By: Dave Conard
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Owls post a 5 - 4 win over Schwoyersville
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“I am really proud of Jonah,” said Williams. “He wants to be the leader of this team, he sucked it up tonight, throwing over 100 pitches and really came though at the end. He always wants the ball and loves to have the game in his hands.”
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Pulford fans seven as Owls claim State Tourney berth
By David Conard
Wow, wow; that was the one word uttered almost in unison by fans, coaches, players and even American Legion officials as West Lawn’s Jonah Pulford blew a 1-2 fastball past Dave Levondoski giving the Owls a dramatic 5-4 victory over Schwoyersville and a berth in the Pennsylvania State Jr. Legion tournament being held this upcoming weekend in Valley Forge.
Seldom in today’s ESPN world where everything seems to be captured on film does a sporting event have an ending that almost defies description; Monday night’s winner’s bracket final was one such occasion. The Owls, who carried a 5-4 lead into the bottom of the seventh, suddenly found themselves with their backs to the wall as Schwoyersville had their first two men reach base on infield hits. After a ball skipped past catcher Dylan Boll, West Lawn was staring at men on second and third with nobody out. With an automatic spot in the regional final and a berth in the State tournament on the line, West Lawn coach Zach Williams elected to stay with Pulford after a brief conference on the mound. “He asked me, are you good?” said Pulford. “Of course I said yeah and he said he believed me. He (coach Williams) knows when I’m jacked and when I’m not on.”
Facing the top of the Schwoyersville line-up and having the weight of the entire season placed squarely on his 15 year old shoulders, Pulford responded by jamming leadoff man Tyler Shillabear who hit a ground ball right at first basemen Adam Bainbridge. He then stunned the crowd by striking out Josh Usefara and Levondoski to end the game and allow all in attendance at Ted Palka Park to catch their collective breath.
“I am really proud of Jonah,” said Williams. “He wants to be the leader of this team, he sucked it up tonight, throwing over 100 pitches and really came though at the end. He always wants the ball and loves to have the game in his hands.”
“It was all adrenaline at the end,” said Pulford. “ I started a little flat tonight, but my teammates picked me up by playing great and I got it going then. This feels great. Everyone counted us out, thinking we were just here by default, but we came to play.”
The Owls, who have seen their share of tense moments this season, seemed to be their own worst enemy at times. Case in point, the fifth inning when they took the lead.
Justin Behrenhausen and Jordan Rosa singled with one out, Pulford struck out swinging but darted up the first base line when catcher Tyler Shillabear mishandled the ball. Rosa headed for second, which hung Behrenhausen out between second and third. Fortunately for West Lawn, after a brief run down, shortstop Levandowski dropped the ball allowing both runners to regain their original positions. Fred Caruso (2-for-3, run scored, 3RBI) and Dylan Boll then both singled driving in the pair giving the Owls a critical 5-4 edge.
“We played as a team tonight,” said shortstop Frederick Caruso. “ When we made a mistake we came right back as a team. I was just lucky to be in a position to help us there and got a hit.” West Lawn (22-5), who had been written off by many, after going two-and-out in the League playoffs last week, stormed out of the gates posting a three spot on the board in the first, courtesy of Caruso who doubled in two runs and Eric Schmeck who knocked in another. The “Cinderella team” thus far of the tournament, Schwoyersville (15-8) came right back and knotted the score in the home half of the frame utilizing a base clearing triple by starting pitcher Ryan Duffy with one out.
Pulford, who is a returning junior legion player, composed himself after a shaky first inning, at one point retiring 15 of 18 batters from the second inning through the sixth while fanning seven and walking just one batter. “It was a little nerve wracking there,” said coach.” Zach Williams. “We have been through a bunch of close games this year, but I always have confidence in this team, they are playing very well right now.” The Owls will square off next against North Parkland on Tuesday at 7PM, while Schwoyersville will face Norchester at 4PM.
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