Railway Park loaded the bases in the third inning.
That key opportunity would not be wasted.
Railway capitalized, exploding for four runs to overpower Frackville 7-1 in a District 24 Little League 11-12-year-old Pool 3 matchup on Sunday evening at Railway Park.
"That was a big part of the game," Railway manager Ed Hahner said of the four-run inning. "We got the bases loaded, and we capitalized on the chances we had."
Six Railway players reached base in the top of the third inning. Railway recorded 17 total baserunners during the game, but prior to the outburst the club held a tenuous two-run edge.
J.R. Hahner helped kickstart the third-inning rally, ripping a double down the left-field line. Ryan Schreffler reached on an error and Parker Zimerofsky drew a walk to load the bases.
Coby Williams and Tommy Hartshorn followed with RBI singles, and the other two runs scored on wild pitches for an insurmountable 6-0 lead.
"We're glad that we're hitting the ball well now," Ed Hahner said. "If we want to keep winning games, we have to keep hitting the ball."
Railway performed just as well on the defensive side of the ball as Schreffler pitched a complete game, striking out five. He pitched out of a few jams, stranding six Frackville players on base throughout the contest.
Frackville put the ball in play but was unable to find the gaps. Schreffler's defense played mistake-free baseball, holding strong behind him.
"Everybody did their job," Ed Hahner said. "He pitched a great game, and we backed him up well."
Frackville's only run came in the bottom of the third when
Doug Weist reached on an error. After advancing on a wild pitch and then to third on Reggie Crawford's single, Ryan Weitz grounded out to plate Weist.
Weist managed two hits for Frackville, while Crawford, Weitz and Zack Falls also collected hits for Frackville.
"Everytime we had runners on we hit the ball at someone," Frackville manager Ed Stavinski said. "(Railway) made the plays when they had to make plays."
Schreffler held Frackville to five hits, while Railway tallied nine hits, receiving production from most of its lineup.
"We were ready to hit today," Ed Hahner said. "Everybody can hit the ball."
J.R. Hahner went 2-for-4 with a double, a triple, an RBI and a run scored, while Williams went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
Jacob Roos, Justice Minor, Parker Zimerofsky and Matt Coyle also contributed a single apiece.
Crawford started and fanned seven Railway players in two innings, striking out an extra batter due to the dropped third strike rule.
Weist pitched an inning of relief before Weitz closed the game for Frackville. Weitz held Railway to two hits and did not allow any runs over three innings of work.
"He came in and held it down," Stavinski said. "He kept us in the game."
Railway moves to 2-0 after the victory while the loss puts Frackville at 2-1. Both teams are atop the Pool 3 standings. They will meet again on Tuesday when Frackville hosts Railway with the hopes of a different result.
"If we hit the ball, we have a chance," Ed Hahner said. "Our kids came out and hit. They were ready to play." Game Summary