By Steven M. Glassman
Director of Sports Information
March 31, 2018
JENKINTOWN, PA—Luzerne County Community College (2-9 Overall, 2-5 Region XIX Division III, 2-1 EPAC) freshman pitcher Ismael Lake contributed three hits, four runs, six RBI, and struck out eight batters as the Trailblazers defeated the Manor College Blue Jays (1-3, 1-3, 0-2), 19-7, in seven innings.
Luzerne County scored four runs in the first inning, sending eight hitters to the plate. Freshman third baseman Kyle Kowalski's none-out single scored sophomore center fielder Tyler Kolb and opened up the Trailblazers' scoring. Three batters later, Lake's one-out, two-run single scored Kowalski and freshman catcher Anthony Craig. Freshman first baseman Tyler Mitchell two-out sacrifice fly scored Lake. Manor responded in the bottom of the first. Five straight Blue Jays reached base with one out, scoring three times, and batted around for the first time in school history. Freshman shortstop Jose Romero (Philadelphia, PA/Frankford) reached on an infield single to sophomore shortstop Brandon Reno. Romero stole second. Freshman third baseman Sauriel Baez (Philadelphia, PA/Esperanza Charter) walked and freshman first baseman Hector Morales (Philadelphia, PA/Esperanza Charter) was hit by a Lake pitch to load the bases. Freshman catcher Abimael Mercardo's (Philadelphia, PA/Juan Ponce De Leon [PR]) RBI single to right, scored Romero. Freshman second baseman Nicholas Herrera (Philadelphia, PA/Frankford) followed with an infield single to Kowalski which scored Baez. Freshman left fielder Trevor Schmanek (Philadelphia, PA/St. Joseph's Prep) then drew a walk which scored Morales.
The Trailblazers sent 11 batters to bat in the third inning, including the first eight hitters, scoring seven times. There were five straight scoring plays, accounting for the last six runs scored in the inning. The Blue Jays scored in the bottom of the third and fourth innings. Morales was hit by a Lake pitch for the second time in the game to lead off the third. Herrera singled to left with one out which advanced Morales to second. Schmanek followed with a single to Kolb which scored Morales on the play. Freshman center fielder Abdur-Rauf Mujahid (Philadelphia, PA/Boys Latin) led off the fourth with a walk. Romero reached first on a missed catch error on a pop up by Craig. Mujahid advanced to second on the play. Lake committed a balk which advanced Mujahid to third and Romero to second. However, Baez lined to Reno, who threw to freshman second baseman Andy Perez, doubling off Romero. Morales kept the rally alive, with a RBI single to left, scoring Mujahid. Mercado and Herrera drew consecutive walks, loading the bases. Schmanek singled to left, scoring Morales, and reloaded the bases. However, the rally and inning ended on a diving catch by freshman right fielder Michael Pinto off the bat of freshman right fielder Samuel Pena (Philadelphia, PA/Liceo Vespertino Pedro MIR [DR]).
The Trailblazers batted around in the top of the fifth, including the first seven hitters reaching safely, scoring four runs. Lake struck a bases-clearing double to right with one out. Manor scored its final run in the bottom of the fifth. Mujahid reached on an infield single to Reno and stole second. Baez singled to right, scoring Mujahid with two out.
Luzerne County finished its scoring in the top of the sixth, sending eight batters to the plate, including five of the first six to reach safely, scoring four times.
Batting Leaders: Herrera was three-for-three with a RBI and stolen base. Schmanek went two-for-three with three RBI. Morales scored three times. Mujahid scored twice and contributed a stolen base. Manor has registered double-digit hits in three of its first four games.
Kolb was three-for-three with three runs scored, two RBI, and a stolen base. Kowalski went three-for-five with two runs scored, two RBI, and a stolen base. Reno contributed three runs scored, two hits (including a triple), and two RBI. Sophomore left fielder Jossel Concepcion was three-for-four, with a run scored, a RBI, and stolen base. Craig scored three runs for the Trailblazers.
Pitching Leaders: Starting pitcher Courtney Maddox-Kent (Philadelphia, PA/Edison) (0-1) took the loss for the Blue Jays.
Lake (1-2) threw six innings for Luzerne County for his first collegiate victory.
Next Game: Manor play the NJCAA Region XIX and EPAC Division III Delaware County Community College Phantoms (2-3, 1-1 Region XIX Division III, 1-0 EPAC) on Monday, April 2 at 3:30 p.m. in Media, Pennsylvania. This is a make-up game from Thursday, March 15.
Next Home Game: Manor host the NJCAA Region XIX and EPAC Division III Lehigh Carbon Community College Cougars on Friday, April 20 at 3:30 p.m. at the Abington Friends School in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania.