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Pennsylvania American Legion Region 4 Baseball Tournament
So Far, So Good for UD
By Mike Hutchins, Contributing Writer

HANOVER • The Upper Dauphin Legion baseball team is off and running in the Region 4 American Legion Baseball Tournament in Hanover.

Upper Dauphin opened the tournament this past weekend with two very impressive wins, knocking off both Lebanon County champion Campbelltown and York County champ South West York.

“These guys have been so focused,” UD Head Coach Scott Deitrich said. “It’s as competitive of a group that I have ever been around. All year, every game, it just seems that someone different has come through to help us win. I can tell you I will be sad to see this season end … whenever that is. This is a great group of kids.”

That will be at least two more games as Upper Dauphin was 2-0 in the double-elimination tournament as of press time July 19. UD was scheduled to play at 4 p.m. July 19.

Through the first two nine-inning games of the tournament, the team has put up many impressive stats. UD has pounded out 36 hits, scored 21 runs and the defense has committed just two errors. Three pitchers have combined to allow 13 hits and five runs to a pair of potent offenses.

Tyler Herb has had quite the tournament to date at the plate. In the first two games, he has 12 plate appearances and opponents have only been able to get him out once. Through Sunday’s game, Herb had eight hits, including two home runs, a triple and a double and three walks.

Zach Markel had six hits and five RBI. Brent Wolfe had five hits, four for extra bases including a home run, two triples and a double and four RBI.

Upper Dauphin 11, South West York 4, July 18: Ben Ancheff took care of the pitching duties with eight innings work in the grueling heat. Wolfe highlighted the 20-hit offensive attack with a home run and two triples as UD knocked the York champs into the loser’s bracket.

Ancheff battled out of two early bases-loaded jams, tossed 154 pitches and earned the win for his eight- inning effort. Herb pitched the final inning to keep the door closed.

“I was well rested. I really didn’t feel like I was losing anything (late in the game),” Ancheff said. “I couldn’t really throw from the stretch today. When the bases were loaded, I could go from the wind up so I really wasn’t too worried. Brent really sparked us today and Herb crushed the ball as usual.”

Ancheff’s best work came against the heart of the South West York lineup. Colin Porter, who hit third, came into the game with a batting average of .612 in 22 games. Kurt Seiders, who bats cleanup, was hitting .462 prior to this game. They combined for an 0-for-nine day against Ancheff.

South West York rolled out a pitcher that UD normally has difficulty hitting. Eric Moul, a small lefty, had just enough speed to keep hitters honest for his variety of breaking and off-speed pitches. Upper Dauphin had some difficulty early, but the second time through the lineup gave more positive results.

With one out in the third inning, Wolfe launched a curve ball over the center field fence. Herb followed with a blast over the fence in right center. Markel singled and eventually scored on a single by Sean Collins.

“We finally got to a lefty,” Wolfe said, referring to the five left-handed sticks in the UD lineup. “He gave me a curve ball. He laid it right there and I just hit it. Just so happened the wind was blowing out when I did.”

UD made it 4-0 in the top of the sixth inning when Herb singled home Cody Kreiser who had singled to lead off the inning.

South West York, after leaving the bases loaded in both the third and fourth innings without scoring a run, pushed four runs across in the bottom of the sixth inning to tie the score, 4-4. Pat Shannon provided the big blast with a three-double. He then scored on an RBI single by Ian Stambaugh.

UD’s experience came through after that point.

“We just had to keep our confidence … not get out of control and stay focused,” Wolfe said.

UD put the game away with two runs in the eighth and a big five-run ninth. In the eighth, Wolfe tripled home Raubenstine and scored on Ancheff’s sacrifice fly. UD pounded out four extra base hits in the ninth. Ryan Welker doubled with one out, his laser to the left field fence lodged behind an advertisement sign. He scored on Raubenstine’s single who then scored on Wolfe’s next triple. Wolfe scored on an error. Herb followed with a double and scored on Markel’s double. He then scored on a balk.

The UD defense was spotless, including a great game from backup catcher Cody Kreiser who threw out two runners at second as they attempted to steal a base.

“Cody’s not your typical backup. He started (for the Upper Dauphin high school team) all year. Ben may have a stronger arm but Cody may block low pitches better. We don’t lose a thing with him back there,” Deitrich said.

Another batting highlight resulted in an out, Upper Dauphin’s last out of the game. Collins showed off his ability to battle in the top of the ninth when he fouled off 12 straight pitches with two strikes before he grounded out. He did have three hits in the game.

Upper Dauphin 10, Campbelltown 1, July 17: Deitrich has said all season that UD plays differently when it gets an early lead. Such was the case in the opener of the Region 4 tournament. Upper Dauphin plated four runs which, as it turned out, was more than enough for Herb and relief pitcher Tyler Koppenhaver.

Wolfe started things with a double and Herb singled. Markel delivered the first run with a single. Collins added an RBI single and a wild pitch scored Ancheff who also singled in the inning.

Campbelltown threatened to score in the second inning, its only threat against Herb. Campbelltown had runners at second and third with no outs, but Herb then struck out the next three batters.

Upper Dauphin added two runs in the fourth inning. Raubenstine tripled and scored on Wolfe’s single who then scored on Zach Markel’s sacrifice fly.

While Herb was in control, allowing just three hits and one walk with nine strikeouts in six innings, the offense kept building the lead. Two more runs were plated in the fifth frame to make it 8-0. Ancheff had a two-run single to plate both runs.

Herb and Markel teamed up to make it 9-0 in the seventh. Herb tripled and Markel singled him home. Herb then belted a home run in the top of the ninth for good measure.

Koppenhaver pitched the final three innings, which on the surface may not seem like a big deal; but he had not been able to pitch much during the regular season or league playoffs due to a laceration on his finger.

“Looks like we caught fire (offensively) at the right time,” Wolfe said. “Those are two big wins right there.”

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