Fall to state champs

(Compiled from a report by Brewster coach Todd Phillips)

EPHRATA – Describing it as one of the best high school baseball games he has been involved with, Brewster head coach Todd Phillips led the Bears varsity baseball team against defending state champion Tri Cities Prep in the title game of the District 5/6 2B championships last Saturday, May 11. Except for a difference of a couple of runs in the Crusaders’ favor both teams posted nearly mirror numbers indicating how closely matched their skillsets are.

“The stat lines were 100 percent identical outside of their two runs and Conner (Ashworth’s) 11 strikeouts to (Logan) Mercado’s three,” said Phillips. “We left more runners on base.”

TCP scored one in the first when a Crusader drew a one-out walk and scored on a teammate’s two-out double. 
From there the game remained scoreless until the sixth inning\. 

“We had runners in scoring position with less than two outs twice and TCP did not get a person past first until the sixth,” Phillips said.

Then a Crusader walked with two outs and two others hit back-to-back singles. 

While Ashworth “threw a great game and threw well enough to win,” in Phillips’ words, it was the devil in the details that made the difference.

“We had a great opportunity to get on the board in the top of the first but were unable to execute,” said Phillips. “In close games that can’t happen, and if we would have been able to get the job done that might have turned the whole tide of the game.”

Phillips said his team was held scoreless for only the second time since he’s coached the Bears.

“Ironically, the other time was against TCP in the district championship two years ago when they beat us 13-0,” said Phillips.” I like where we are right now these next two weekends should be fun.”