After having the spring baseball season compromised due to COVID-19, “PLAY BALL” was the much awaited phrase for the Slater team as well as all their fans. With their supporters there to cheer them on, the Slaters took the field to face Allentown Central Catholic in the first game of the Lehigh Valley Baseball Tournament. Both teams were evenly matched entering this game as neither team had a record for the 2020 season.
The first inning surged with energy from both players and fans from opposing sides. Just graduated senior, Ethan Saxe took to the mound ready to pitch his heart out against Allentown Central. With a quick first inning, the Slaters shortly entered the second.
By the bottom of the second inning, Allentown Central had a runner on third in scoring position. With a groundout to second basemen Brayden Strohe, who made the play at first base, brought the inning to two outs for the Slaters. However, Allentown Central now had one run on the board bringing the score to 1-0. The Slaters did not lose hope!
With several more innings of a tough fight from both sides, no more runs had scored. By the bottom of the fifth inning, the Slaters were up to bat with Nick Hardart in scoring position at third base. A hit from Strohe scored Hardart to bring the game to a tie.
The sixth inning turned into the “Hunter Rydell show” with two catches in left field to complete the first two outs for the Slaters. Just after an entrance from Drew Stackhouse on the mound, the third out was achieved with a backhanded grab from third basemen Dom Catino and a throw to first basemen Jayden Buist to complete a quick and clean sixth inning.
Still tied, both teams were neck and neck to enter the seventh and final inning of the game. Allentown Central had the tie breaking run on third base when a pop up flew to deep left field. Even with the catch from Rydell in left field, Allentown tagged up at third and scored to break the tie and win the first game of the tournament.
With a final score of Allentown Central 2 to Bangor 1, the Slaters did not hang their heads. They play a double header on Wednesday, August 5th, 2020 at Fairview Park. The first game is at 12pm against Pen Argyl, and the second game is scheduled for 2:30pm against the Easton Red Rovers. Make sure to come and support the Slaters as they fight for their spot in the semi finals games taking place in the upcoming days, but don’t forget your mask!
