HERSHEY — Tri-Valley’s lineup was prepared to see strikes from Trent Rider.
According to Dawgs coach Bob Felty Sr., the Southern Fulton ace pitcher had thrown around 60 innings this year and walked only five batters.
Rider once again consistently pounded the strike zone, and the Dawgs struggled putting his pitches in play.
Southern Fulton provided the offense Rider needed as the Indians eliminated Tri-Valley from the PIAA Class A baseball quarterfinals with a 6-0 victory Thursday afternoon at Hershey High School.
The Indians (25-2) advance to face Lancaster County Christian, an 11-1 winner over Blue Ridge, in Monday’s semifinals.
Rider, a 6-foot-4 junior, allowed just one hit — a third-inning single by Jake Masser — and struck out 11. He threw 91 pitches, with 68 going for strikes. Masser was the only Dawg to reach base as Rider faced just one batter over the minimum.
“Their pitcher threw a great game for them,” Felty said. “Mixed his pitches well. He throws strikes, which we knew. His strikeout-to-ball ratio is tremendous for a high school pitcher. He’s around the plate, and he did a great job for them.”
Tri-Valley (16-9) didn’t help itself with a bumpy start defensively, committing back-to-back errors to start the game. Southern Fulton capitalized on the opportunity, scoring two runs on an RBI single by Connor Litton and a bases-loaded walk to Tanner Elbin before Will Kimmel escaped without further damage.
Dillan Lashley added a solo home run to left to start the third, but Kimmel kept the Indians at bay.
“We gave them a couple of runs in the first inning,” Felty said. “We make those first
two plays, there’s two outs (and) nobody on. Probably three pitches into the game, we should have had two outs. It’s 3-0 into the sixth inning. It’s still anybody’s game. We can get an error here or a hit here or there and put a rally together.
“Going into the sixth inning, it’s definitely still within reach.”
Southern Fulton added three runs in the sixth to put it away for Rider.
Tristan Douglas clubbed an RBI double to right-center field, Litton followed with an RBI single and Rider added an RBI groundout to set the final.
Without high expectations leading up to the season, the Dawgs won their third District 11 Class A title in five years and picked up a state playoff victory, a 5-1 win over Christopher Dock on Wednesday.
Three seniors depart, including ace pitcher Hunter Bordner, Mark Klinger and Dominic Carado.
“I want to tip my hat to Hunter (Bordner) and the seniors,” Felty said. “Hunter (Bordner) gave us four outstanding years. He had over 100 career hits and was our ace pitcher for the last three years. We’re going to definitely miss him.”
The rest of the lineup can return intact with a strong young nucleus that includes five freshman starters.
“(The playoff experience) was valuable, but the bottom line is you’ve got to continue to work hard and put the time in and the effort,” Felty said. “I’m sure these guys will. It’s great experience for the young guys. The future looks bright as far as young guys, but it takes hard work. Hopefully, these guys realize that and continue to get better.
“We told them after the game last night they’re no longer freshmen. The target’s on their back now going forward. You make it to the second round of the state playoffs and people take notice to that. I’ve been blessed. I can’t complain. These guys worked so hard, and I’m thankful for every opportunity I’ve had with them.”
Game Summary
PIAA Class A Quarterfinal
At Hershey High School
TRI-VALLEY (0) — Schwalm lf 3 0 0 0, Lucas cf 3 0 0 0, Bordner ss 3 0 0 0, Herb 1b 3 0 0 0, Yoder c 2 0 0 0, Carado 2b 2 0 0 0, Kimmel p 0 0 0 0, Klinger dh 2 0 0 0, Masser 3b 2 0 1 0, Buchanan rf 2 0 0 0. Totals 22 0 1 0.
SOUTHERN FULTON (6) — Gordon 3b 4 1 0 0, Douglas 2b 4 2 3 1, Litton ss 3 1 2 2, Lashley cf 4 1 1 1, Rider p 3 0 2 1, Mellott cr 0 0 0 0, Elbin c 3 0 0 0, Potter 3b 0 0 0 0, Lynch dh 2 0 0 0, McCusker lf 3 0 0 0, Clark rf 3 1 1 0. Totals 29 6 9 5.
Tri-Valley (16-9) 000 000 0 — 0
So. Fulton (25-2) 201 003 x — 6
E — Tri-Valley 3, Southern Fulton 0. DP — None. LOB — Tri-Valley 1, Southern Fulton 9. 2B — Douglas, Rider. HR — Lashley. SB — Douglas 3, Litton 2, Lashley, Clark. S — Potter.
Tri-Valley IP H R ER BB K
Kimmel L,2-3 6 9 6 4 2 4
So. Fulton IP H R ER BB K
Rider W 7 1 0 0 0 11
HBP — by Kimmel (Litton). WP — Kimmel. Balk — Rider. T — 1:51.