Apr 9, 2024
MARK NANCE/Solar-Gazette Correspondent Muncy’s Tanner Baker (10) slides previous Bucktail third baseman Johnny Inexperienced on a triple with two R.B.I.’s within the second inning.
MUNCY–A yr after reaching the District 4 Class AA championship, Muncy featured an skilled, senior-laden roster final season. So, it says so much that Tanner Baker not solely began at second base as a freshman but in addition moved into the No. 2 batting slot, whereas serving to Muncy seize a Mid-Penn championship.
The season ended late final Could however Baker’s work continued. Tuesday towards Bucktail, all of the fruits of that labor got here collectively and Baker performed his finest highschool sport.
Baker threw a five-hit full sport and went 4 for 4 with a triple, two RBIs and three runs as Muncy defeated Bucktail, 16-1 in 4 innings. The sophomore allowed only one hit over his closing two innings, gained his second straight begin and was in the course of all three Muncy rallies because the Indians (3-1, 3-0) gained their thirty fourth consecutive league sport.
“I used to be seeing so much higher pitching and it was a matter of getting used to it final yr,” Baker mentioned. “Getting that have helped so much. I like it. I really like the sport.”
“Tanner is an efficient ball participant,” Muncy coach Shawn Finn mentioned. “He loves the sport and he works exhausting at follow. It reveals on the sector.”
All of the Indians confirmed their expertise Tuesday and performed their most full sport early this season. Nick Delany continued his scorching hitting, going 2 for 3 with two RBIs. Landyn Wommer and Kadyn Berry each hit RBI and two-run doubles, Kase Snyder added a two-run single and Vinny Finochiaro’s pinch-hit RBI single helped cap an 11-run fourth inning as Muncy ended the sport early.
Throughout the first 1 ½ innings, the sport concluding earlier than the fifth felt like an extended shot. Bucktail collected 4 hits within the first two innings and Kyler Friese’s two-out RBI single pulled the Bucks inside 2-1 within the high of the second. Bucktail seemingly would have taken a primary inning lead however Muncy catcher Braydon Kamerer threw out two runners attempting to steal and stifled the rally.
Wommer hit his RBI double to deep heart subject, Baker his RBI triple to deep proper and Kamerer added a sacrifice fly in a three-run second inning as Muncy constructed a 5-1 lead. Baker settled in from there and retired seven of the final batters he confronted. Accidents to Cam Kamerer and Noah Confer have impacted Muncy’s pitching depth, however Baker has stepped in and supplied two straight high quality begins as Muncy has began constructing momentum.
Baker’s pitching success carried over to offense. Finn moved him again into the No. 2 slot and Baker felt at dwelling, hitting a single and scoring the sport’s first run within the opening inning earlier than hitting a triple and two extra singles in his final two at-bats. Muncy scored all 16 runs within the innings Baker batted.
“In second inning I didn’t do too nice however after that, I bought into my groove and I felt good from there on,” Baker mentioned of his pitching. “I used to be feeling fairly good on the plate. I’ve been working exhausting and it paid off.”
It has for Delany as nicely. One other gifted sophomore, Delany has come again from a leg damage which ended his productive soccer season final fall and is 6 for 7 over his final two video games with six RBIs. The one time Delany has been retired the final two video games, he nonetheless hit the ball exhausting, however proper at first baseman Ethan Kalafut.
“I’m simply seeing the ball very well proper now. I’m seeing every thing out of the hand and I’m in a position to lay off the off-speed stuff.” Delany mentioned. “That’s one thing I struggled with previously however I’m getting higher with it as we go.”
Three days after going 4 for 4 with 4 RBIs, Delany picked up the place he left off and hit a two-out RBI single which put Muncy forward, 2-0 within the first inning. An aspiring fireman, Delany has helped stir up an offense which has produced 34 runs the final two video games.
That success continued in his closing at-bat. Delaney hit a tough one-hopper into the opening between shortstop and third base. He confirmed off his velocity and beat the throw, though he turned an ankle, diving towards first base. Delany is hopeful the damage will not be severe and got here round to attain later within the inning as Muncy began breaking issues open.
“Nick didn’t get a variety of play final yr, however within the preseason scrimmages he regarded good and in batting practices, too,” Finn mentioned. “He bought a shot and whenever you get a shot, and he’s taking it and working with it proper now. He’s doing a fantastic job placing the ball in play and he hits the ball exhausting.”
“I just like the strain,” Delany mentioned. “I like when everyone seems to be taking a look at you and seeking to you to do one thing good. While you’re having enjoyable it’s the perfect sport on the planet. It’s superior.”
Muncy had a variety of enjoyable within the fourth inning when it despatched 15 batters to the plate and scored 11 runs to finish the victory. Ten Muncy gamers reached base and 10 scored within the victory with seven Indians producing hits.
Baker and Stiles Eyer helped gasoline the fourth inning eruption with RBI singles. Snyder saved the momentum going along with his two-run single and Berry drove a two-run double towards the middle subject fence. Finochiaro, a freshman making his first begin at second base, performed nicely within the subject and made probably the most of his first at-bat, scorching an RBI single into left subject.
Kamerer helped change the sport’s complexion earlier than ever had an opportunity to warmth up offensively. Bucktail produced two singles and a stroll within the first inning, however the senior catcher got here up large with good throws to second base.
Bucktail regarded like it might have first and second with one out, however the lead runner tried stealing second on a 3-1 pitch and that pitch resulted in a stroll. The umpire known as the runner out regardless of the stroll and he began working off the sector as Muncy tagged him. A Gavin Decide single put runners on the corners with two outs and once more Kamerer delivered underneath strain, making one other laser throw proper to Berry’s glove, because the shortstop barely needed to transfer it to put the tag for the third out.
“Braydon is a four-year starter and he negates lots of people’s working video games,” Finn mentioned. “He has a fast launch and he does a fantastic job. Individuals run on him on a regular basis and a variety of occasions he’s in a position to make them pay for that.”
Bucktail 010 0–1 5 5
Muncy 230 (11)–16 11 1
Keller Friese, Brett Mason (4) and Kyler Friese. Tanner Baker and Braydon Kamerer. W–Baker, (2-0). L–Friese.
Prime Bucktail hitters: Ethan Kalafut 2-2; Braylon Fantaski 1-2; Gavin Decide 1-2; Ky. Friese 1-2, RBI. Prime Muncy hitters: Baker 4-4, 3B, 2 RBIs, 3 runs; Nick Delany 2-3, 2 RBIs, run; Kadyn Berry 1-3, 2B, 2 RBIs, 2 runs; Stiles Eyer 1-3, RBI, 2 runs; Kase Snyder 1-3, 2 RBIs, run; Landyn Wommer 1-3, 2B, 2 RBIs; Vinny Finochiaro 1-1, RBI.
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