SAA Springfield Blue comes up short in the semi-finals

EDCO Intermediate
Springfield Blue battled hard but came up short in the semi-finals against Marple Newtown, losing the best of three series 2-1. The match-up was very competitive in all three games.
Springfield 7
Marple Newtown 6
Pitcher Matt Gallo frustrated the hot hitting Marple lineup with a blend of fastballs and a nasty curve that would break low and out of the zone. Gallo went the distance and recovered from a three-run homer that tied the game in the fifth. He got strong defensive support behind him, and walked only one while striking out seven.
The defensive play of the game came in the bottom of the seventh with men on first and second; Bill Johnson threw out the tying run at the plate on a two-out single t0 end the game. Offensively, everyone contributed with Zach Young and Mike McKale each picking up RBIs and a run scored on two-hits. McKale showed up to play despite having four wisdom teeth extracted. "I'm ready to go Coach, and I'll let you know if they start bleeding too bad,” said the game kid. Chris Dougherty had a single and a sacrifice with a run scored, while Pete Sabato also had a big day with a double and an RBI single and a run scored.
Matt Achuff was the offensive hero knocking in the game-winning run in the bottom of the sixth.
Marple Newtown 9
Springfield 5
Springfield jumped out to an early 2-0 lead the following night, as the 1-2 hitters got on and scored. Jeff Peranteau was patient and worked a walk to start the game. Left-handed Zach Young singled through the hole, sending Peranteau to third. Mike McKale's ground out scored the first run and Young later scored on a wild pitch. Marple plate six in the third with some solid hitting and fortunate bounces.
Blue answered right back in the bottom of the third against number one seed Marple with two runs. Tommy Lyons delivered a clutch two-out hit with two on to score Matt Achuff and Pete Sabato to cut the lead to 6-4.
Marple struck again the top of the fourth scoring three more runs and forcing early bullpen needs.
Jeff Peranteau (two innings) and Mike McKale (one inning) kept the Tigers off the board the rest of the way but Springfield was only able to muster one more run.
Marple Newtown 2
Springfield 0
The win or go home game was played the next night back at the Gable field bandbox. After considering different options, pitching Coach Scott Hayes decided to try to get two or three innings from Matt Gallo who was pitching on only one-day’s rest. Five and 2/3 innings later, a battling Gallo grudgingly gave up the ball and left the hill with his team only trailing 2-0. "He was throwing on fumes and kept getting it done, unbelievable”, said first base coach Matt Judge. A tip of the hat needs to go to the Marple hurler who allowed just two hits and never allowed a Springfield runner past second. Coaches Marty Jeffers, Mike O'Dougherty, and Bob Thomas were very proud of their team’s performance.
"In the playoffs, they played like men; they were the three seed and yet came back to win two games against Briarcliff and one against Maple. They didn't hang their heads and they played the game the right way. Ultimately, that's more important then wins and loses", commented Coach Thomas.