West Armstrong Athletics 9/10 Baseball Team Remains Undefeated

by Jake DeLuca

The undefeated 16-0 West Armstrong Athletics 9/10 year old baseball team looked to advance to the second round of the playoffs against Kiski on Wednesday.

This game was initially to be played on Monday, but got postponed due to the umpire showing up an hour late. The Athletics had the best record in their league, earning them home field advantage throughout the playoffs, but because of the circumstances they had to play their first round game at Kiski.

The Athletics showed up to play though, jumping out to an 8-1 lead after two innings of play. The second inning was the turning point for West Armstrong, as their discipline at the plate lead to six walks and five runs including an RBI single from Adam Hooks.

Kiski, however, was not ready to call it quits there. At the top of the fourth inning, Kiski was able to put four runs on the board, making the score 8-5 heading into the bottom of the fourth.

With Kiski getting closer, the Athletics had to make something happen to better their chances to get the win.

With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Adam Hooks was able to get on base for the third time in the game with a single. Hooks would then steal second before being hit home by an RBI triple from Carson Francesceshi, making the score 9-5 heading into the fifth inning.

Down four runs, Kiski had to act quickly to catch up, but the Athletics pitching staff wouldn’t let it happen.

In the fifth and sixth inning, pitchers Derek Crissman and Logan hooks combined for four strikeouts to keep the score at 9-5 at their playoff run alive.

At the end of almost every game, Athletics Coach Gabe Lash decides which player most deserves the “game ball”.

“The game ball went to Carter Lash and now every player on this team has earned a game ball this season, and I don’t just give them away. When a kid gives 100% that’s what I look for. Whether it’s a pitcher who gets us out of a tough inning, or if a batter that usually struggles behind the plate and gets a big hit, or scores a big run- I reward that. I want the kids to learn how to play good baseball,” Gabe Lash said after the game.

Carter had a big game for the Athletics, as he was able to throw out a runner at home plate to prevent an inside the park home-run from Kiski in the top of the fifth inning to help preserve West Armstrong’s lead.

The West Armstrong Athletics 9/10 year old team hope to further their playoff experience on Friday when they face off against Natrona Heights at Worthington.

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