Published: May 16, 2008 12:22 am            

Big seventh paces Rams

Ninth-seeded Laurel Valley blew open a tight game with a three-run seventh inning to earn a 7-3 victory over No. 8 Westmont Hilltop on Thursday at Westmont.

Holding on to a 4-3 lead entering the top of the seventh inning, Patrick Hall led off with a single.

Another single by Myers Miller put two runners on for Tyler Ulery, who smacked an RBI-single up the middle to score Hall. Next, John Jones hit a groundball to shortstop for what appeared to be an inning-ending double play, but the throw to first sailed high and out of play, allowing Miller and Ulery to score for a 7-3 advantage.

The Hilltoppers attempted a comeback in the bottom of the inning. After A.J. Rievel’s double put two men on with one out, Laurel Valley reliever Shawn Linhart entered the game and induced two groundball outs to finish things off.

“Westmont is a good fundamental team, and they came prepared to play,” Laurel Valley coach Lew McLaughlin said. “We took advantage of our chances and never quit.”

The Rams took the early 1-0 lead as Ulery hit a sacrifice fly to deep center field to score Hall.

But Westmont responded in the bottom of the second to take its only lead of the game. Andy Pozun and David McKolosky hit back-to-back RBI singles to give Westmont the lead and Sean McDonald followed with a double to score Pozun, increasing the cushion to 3-1.

Laurel Valley answered right back in the top of the third inning. With the bases loaded and two outs, Matt Henderson hit a single to score two runs. Jones followed with a double to bring home another run and give the Rams a 4-3 advantage.

“Give them credit, they made all the plays they had to,” Westmont coach Paul Knupp said. “They got the key hits and we didn’t.”

The Hilltoppers had their best chance to get back in the game in the sixth inning. Matt Ziance came up with two men on and no outs and blasted a shot to deep left field. Laurel Valley left fielder Chris Garaventa sprinted to the fence and made a leaping catch for the out. Rams’ starter Matt Allen got the next batter to ground into an inning-ending double play to squash the threat.

“We hit the ball really well, but right at guys,” Knupp said. “I’m proud of these guys, obviously we’re a little disappointed, but we had a great season.”

Laurel Valley will face defending state champion Bald Eagle Area on Monday.

        

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