NTL BASEBALL: NEB HOLDS OFF 7TH-INNING RALLY TO EDGE SAYRE, 5-4 (2019-04-17)

Valley Sports Report
LERAYSVILLE "” Northeast Bradford held off a seventh-inning rally to edge Sayre, 5-4, here Wednesday afternoon in NTL Small School Division baseball action.

The Redskins took the early lead with a pair of runs in the top of the first inning.

Sophomore Zach Moore walked to ignite the rally, and moved to second on a single by junior Camden Wheeler.

Junior Quinn Hanafin followed with a single to right field that resulted in Moore being thrown out at home. However, a wild throw to third base allowed Wheeler to score and Hanafin to take third base.

Senior James Esposito delivered a sacrifice fly to cap the scoring.

NEB rallied to take a 3-2 lead with three runs in the home half of the third inning, and stretched its lead to 5-2 with two runs in the fourth inning.

The Redskins loaded the bases in the sixth inning, but the threat came to an end with a 4-6-3 double play.

In the top of the seventh inning, sophomore Jake Burgess reached base on a one-out error. With two outs, Moore ripped an RBI double to trim the deficit to 5-3.

After a single by Wheeler and an intentional walk to Hanafin, the Redskins plated a run when Hanafin beat a throw to second base on a groundball off the bat of Esposito, allowing Moore to score to cut the NEB lead to 5-4.

Panther reliever Collin Allis, however, retired the next batter to preserve the win.

Hanafin singled twice, scored one run, and drove in a run, while Wheeler singled twice and scored one run, and Moore doubled, scored one run, and knocked in one run to account for Sayre's five hits.

Hanafin was tagged with the loss, allowing five runs - four earned - on five hits, while striking out six and walking four in 3 2/3 innings.

Moore finished off the game for the Redskins with 2 1/3 innings of scoreless relief. He allowed three hits and struck out three.

Ian Wilbur earned the win for NEB, allowing three runs - two earned - on three hits, while striking out 10 and walking five in 6 1/3 innings. Allis recorded the save by retiring the only baer he faced.

Clayton Connor stroked three singles and had four RBI to pace NEB's attack.

Sayre, now 2-6, hosts crosstown rival Athens Thursday.

"”"”"”"”"”"”

IN PHOTO: Sayre's Quinn Hanafin.