By Steven M. Glassman
Director of Sports Information
May 4, 2018
JENKINTOWN, PA— Delaware County Community College (7-13-1 Overall, 5-4-1 Region XIX Division III, 4-2-1 EPAC) sophomore center fielder Tyler Butz went three-for-five (including a double), with two runs scored, and a stolen base as the Phantoms defeated the Manor College Blue Jays (2-18, 1-13, 0-7), 14-12, in Manor's final regular season home game at the Abington Friends School.
The Phantoms scored twice first in the top of the first. One of the runs was on a one-out double to left by sophomore third baseman Jorge Rodriguez. The Blue Jays answered in the bottom of the first, scoring three times off of freshman starting pitcher Carl Lanholm. Freshman shortstop-relief pitcher Jose Romero (Philadelphia, PA/Frankford) singled to center with one out and moved to second on a sophomore catcher Sean Donahue passed ball. Freshman first baseman Hector Morales' (Philadelphia, PA/Esperanza Charter) two-out single to center scored Romero. Freshman second baseman-relief pitcher-shortstop Nicholas Herrera (Philadelphia, PA/Frankford) followed with a double to left which scored Morales. Freshman left fielder-center fielder Trevor Schmanek (Philadelphia, PA/St. Joseph's Prep) gave Manor the lead with a single to left that scored Herrera.
Delaware County took the lead for good in the top of the second, scoring nine runs and sent 15 batters to the plate (including the first eight batters to reach safely). They scored once in the top of the third on a two-out ground to first by sophomore first baseman Ben Mutz and led 12-3 going into the bottom of the third. The Blue Jays scored three two-out runs in the bottom of the third. Morales singled to left and advanced to third on Herrera's second double of the game. Schmanek walked to load the bases. Freshman catcher Abimael Mercado (Philadelphia, PA/Juan Ponce De Leon [PR]) cleared the bases with a double to center.
The Phantoms added to its lead, scoring single runs in the fifth and sixth before the Blue Jays chipped away in the seventh and eighth. Manor s scored two in the seventh and closed the deficit to 14-8. Romero walked with one out and moved to third on freshman third baseman Sauriel Baez's (Philadelphia, PA/Esperanza Charter) single to center and Butz' fielding error. Baez advanced to second on Butz' fielding error. Morales' two-out sacrifice fly scored Romero. Herrera's single to center scored Baez. The Blue Jays scored four in the eighth, sending 10 hitters to the plate (including the first six batters of the inning), and got within 14-12. Freshman right fielder Courtney Maddox-Kent (Philadelphia, PA/Edison) led off with a walk off of freshman relief pitcher Kevin Finn. Freshman left fielder Samuel Pena's (Philadelphia, PA/Liceo Vespertino Pedro MIR [DR]) bunt single to the catcher advanced Maddox-Kent to second. Freshman center fielder-second baseman Abdur-Rauf Mujahid (Philadelphia, PA/Boys Latin) loaded the bases on Butz' missed catch error. Romero's walk scored Maddox-Kent and Baez' single to right scored Pena. Morales reached on sophomore shortstop Thomas Donahue's fielding error which scored Mujahid on the play. Herrera's fielder's choice ground out to second scored Romero with one out. Schmanek's walk knocked Finn out of the game. Mutz came in relief with runners on first and second with one out and retired the final five of the six batters he faced.
Batting Leaders: Four Blue Jays had multi-hit games. Herrera went four-for-five (including two doubles) with three RBI, two runs scored, and a stolen base. Morales went two-for-four with three RBI, two runs scored, and a sacrifice fly. Schmanek went two-for-three, walked twice, scored once, and knocked in a run. Mujahid contributed two hits. Mercado knocked three runs and Romero scored three times. Manor's 15 hits were a season high.
Rodriguez went two-for-three (including a double), with three RBI, two runs scored, and a walk and hit-by-pitch. Freshman left fielder Takuya Ikeda went two-for-four (including two doubles), three runs scored, a walk, and sacrifice fly. Sean Donahue (two walks) and Lanholm (three walks) scored two runs each. Mutz added two RBI for the Phantoms.
Pitching Leaders: Romero pitched the final 7 2/3 innings in relief, allowing two runs on two hits, striking out four (walking two). He also retired the final eight batters he faced and nine of his last ten for Manor.
Lanholm got credit for the win, striking out six. Mutz pitched the final 1 2/3 innings for the save for Delaware County.
Next Game: Manor plays the NJCAA and EPAC Division III Luzerne County Community College Trailblazers (4-22-1, 2-11-1, 2-4-1) on Saturday, May 5 in Nanticoke, Pennsylvania at 1:00 p.m. The Trailblazers won the previous matchup, 19-7, in seven innings, on Saturday, March 31 at the Abington Friends School in Jenkintown, Pennsylvania. This will also be the final EPAC game of the season for both schools.