No. 2 Laurel Highlands rallies to defeat Latrobe in extra innings

By: HSSN Staff
Monday, April 30, 2018 | 10:03 PM

Latrobe had big-swinging and undefeated Laurel Highlands right where it wanted it.

The game plan to change pitchers midstream was working to near perfection, and the Wildcats had a two-run lead and worked out of two bases-loaded jams in the fifth and sixth innings.

But the upset was not to be as the No. 2-ranked Mustangs rallied to force extra innings with a two-run seventh, then scratched out the go-ahead score in the ninth for a 4-3 Section 3-5A win Monday night at windy Graham-Sobota Field.

Chad Petrush's single drove in pinch-runner Alec McClay with one out in the top of the ninth to put Laurel Highlands (11-0, 11-0) ahead.

Just like last year against the Mustangs, Latrobe (6-7, 5-6) loaded the bases in the final inning — thanks to three walks — and looked primed for more late-game dramatics. But the defending WPIAL and PIAA champions' advantage capsized late.

“Both teams played even,” Latrobe coach Matt Basciano said. “Laurel Highlands is a great hitting team and did what they had to do to win. We just have to stay positive and be ready to work the next game.”

Leadoff hitter Preston Boerio, who was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to down Laurel Highlands, 6-5, a year ago, grounded out to end it.

Laurel Highlands rallied again, but finished the deal this time.

The hard-hitting Mustangs had shredded most of their opponents coming into Monday, averaging 13.1 runs, including a 15-1 win over Latrobe earlier in the season in which they scored all 15 runs in one inning.

They have scored 12 or more runs eight times this season.

Latrobe limited the offensive explosiveness this time, carrying a 3-1 lead into the seventh. But a walk and error set up Nate Zimcosky's ground-rule double. Petrush was hit by a pitch to load the bases for the third straight inning.

Rich Mehall ripped a two-run single to tie it 3-3.

“We both battled all day, and that's what we expected,” Laurel Highlands coach Scott DeBerry said. “Matt does a great job with his program, and his kids leave it all on the field.”

Latrobe forced the Mustangs to leave the bags full in the fifth and sixth, the latter time when Andy Bradford struck out back-to-back batters to end the threat.

Bradford was part of the Wildcats' plan, but not as a starter. His pitching bothered the Mustangs earlier in the season, so the idea was to bring him in after a few innings this time, preferably with a lead.

“(Adam) Wolford did a great job (starting) for us,” Basciano said. “We brought Bradford in for the off-speed stuff.”

Latrobe took a 2-0 lead in the first on an RBI single by Griffin Clark, who went 3 for 5 but took the loss in relief, and a sacrifice fly by Adam Wolford.

Laurel Highlands made it 2-1 on Tan Erminio's single in the second.

It was 3-1 in the fifth after Clark doubled to center and Ben Rafferty followed with a ground-rule double. Latrobe left the bases loaded in that frame, knowing more runs would have helped.

“We needed to be tested like this,” DeBerry said. “We knew coming in here they could give us a game. They did a nice job keeping us off-balance with their pitchers.

“We knew we'd have to take advantage of opportunities when we had them.”

Latrobe left runners at first and second in the seventh after eventual winner Travis Sankovich struck out consecutive hitters.

The Wildcats couldn't take advantage of an error in the eighth and left a runner stranded at third.

Each team used three pitchers. Wolford started for Latrobe and was solid, allowing seven hits and one run in five innings and 75 pitches.

Sankovich did not allow a hit and struck out three in 2 ¹⁄₃ innings to earn the win.

Latrobe left 16 on base, Laurel Highlands 10.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a Tribune-Review staff writer. Reach him at bbeckner@tribweb.com or via Twitter @BillBeckner.

Tags: Laurel Highlands