FROM THE POTTSVILLE REPUBLICAN HERALD

Orwigsburg atop Haven

by Ian Hower (correspondent

ORWIGSBURG - Darkness shrouded the Orwigsburg Little League complex.

The stadium lights were activated to extend the life of the game, but a torrential downpour later caused both teams to retreat into their respective dugouts.

At the time of the delay, Orwigsburg led Schuylkill Haven 5-2 heading into the bottom of the fourth inning in a District 24 11-12-year-old Pool 2 game on Friday evening.

The game will be resumed from the point it was suspended at a date and time to be determined.

Orwigsburg exploded for four runs in the top of the first inning.

Dylan Biever set the tone for Orwigsburg, hitting the first pitch of the game and beating the throw from third to earn an infield single.

Mike DeHaven also singled in the opening frame, earning two RBIs on the rip to right field.

DeHaven scored in two pitches, advancing from first to third on an overthrow and scoring on a wild pitch to put Orwigsburg ahead 4-0.

Schuylkill Haven had its chances in the first inning as well. Those chances, though, turned into stranded baserunners.

Jake Luckenbill started things with a single to right field.

After Kobe Brish walked and Josh Kalyan reached on an error, the bases were loaded for Jake Pothering.

Pothering drew another walk to force in a run, the bases still loaded

Jake Luckenbill started things with a single to right field.

After Kobe Brish walked and Josh Kalyan reached on an error, the bases were loaded for Jake Pothering.

Pothering drew another walk to force in a run, the bases still loaded.

That was the only run to cross the plate as Kaleb Sophy, the left-handed Orwigsburg starter on the mound, pitched out of the jam, leaving three runners stranded.

Schuylkill Haven took back momentum in the second inning, using some sparkling defense to shut down an Orwigsburg threat.

Keven DiLorenzo drew a walk and then Biever hit a double to right field.

Biever overran second

base, forcing a rundown that resulted in DiLorenzo being tagged out at the plate while Biever advanced to third.

With one out and a runner on third, Sophy hit a fly ball to right field.

"He's tagging, he's tagging!" Schuylkill Haven catcher Ted Welsh yelled.

Pothering caught the ball and threw a strike to home plate. Welsh applied the tag to complete the inning-ending double play.

Cheers erupted from the Haven side.

Those cheers didn't last long as Haven stranded another two runners on base, Albie Evans earning the only hit that inning.

In the third, Haven gained a little bit more ground.

Welsh ripped a double and two batters later Evans added another single, this time recording an RBI, to cut Orwigsburg's lead to 4-2.

Orwigsburg scored again in the top of the fourth inning, though.

Bobby Barr led off with a walk. Biever added his third hit of the game to move Barr to third.

Sophy put the ball in play, which was fielded by the second baseman. Both the ball and Barr were then headed for home.

Barr avoided the tag to put Orwigsburg ahead 5-2 just before the suspension.

The suspended game may affect what is shaping up as a tight Pool 2 race. Four regularly scheduled pool games, plus the completion of Friday's game, are scheduled to be completed by July 5.

Orwigsburg (0-1) will host Cressona today. Cressona (1-1) defeated Orwigsburg 13-5 last weekend. Schuylkill Haven (1-0) will travel to Rotary (1-1) on Sunday. Schuylkill Haven defeated Rotary in extra innings last Monday evening.

Jake Luckenbill started things with a single to right field.

After Kobe Brish walked and Josh Kalyan reached on an error, the bases were loaded for Jake Pothering.

Pothering drew another walk to force in a run, the bases still loaded.

That was the only run to cross the plate as Kaleb Sophy, the left-handed Orwigsburg starter on the mound, pitched out of the jam, leaving three runners stranded.

Schuylkill Haven took back momentum in the second inning, using some sparkling defense to shut down an Orwigsburg threat.

Keven DiLorenzo drew a walk and then Biever hit a double to right field.

Biever overran second

base, forcing a rundown that resulted in DiLorenzo being tagged out at the plate while Biever advanced to third.