MORGANTOWN — Post 2 Starting pitcher Aidan Frombach threw a complete game, giving up only one run on five hits to a very strong Berkeley lineup. Two late runs in the sixth inning cushioned the lead for Morgantown (14-13), who improved its record to over .500 after sitting at 5-11 at the end of June.
It was a pitcher’s showdown to start the night, as both Frombach and Post 14 starter Brayden Stottlemyer each opened the game with commanding pitches, keeping the opposing offenses honest.
It wasn’t until the bottom of the second that the scoring would begin. Post 2 catcher Park Croyle singled hard up the left field line, bringing his teammate Jett Walters across the plate to give Morgantown a 1-0 lead. Croyle finished the night 2-2 at the plate with an RBI and one run scored. Post 2 earned seven hits as a team.
Frombach would continue his strong outing into the top of the third inning, but Berkeley would eventually break through when a hard ground ball up the middle got passed the glove of Frombach and trickled into the outfield. Post 14 would even the game at one with two outs in the inning. A flyout would stop the bleeding for Post 2, however.
The defense of Post 2 is something that has made a difference down the stretch, and it gives the pitcher, like Frombach, confidence on the mound.
“I was just relying on my defense to make plays for me tonight,” said the former MHS player. “We did a decent job hitting tonight which really helped. When it comes to close games we just want to throw strikes and put something in play.”
The defensive effort would pay off in the bottom of the fourth, as left fielder Jacob Kennell doubled over the center fielder, scoring Croyle and giving Morgantown another lead at 2-1.
“They are a really great team, but we flipped a switch and came out ready to play,” said Croyle, the Post 2 catcher. “Aidan threw a great game, our defense played well and our bats came alive also.”
Croyle says in close games like this one, the message to his pitchers are to “throw for contact” and trust their defense to make some plays for them.
“I just want our pitcher to pitch to contact and we have one of the best defenses in the state so let them do their job.”
Two more runs in the bottom of the sixth would give Morgantown a 4-1 lead that would remain the same after Frombach closed the game out in the top of the seventh.
Post 2 earns its 14th win overall and its ninth win out of the last 11 games played. It will return to Dale Miller tomorrow for a rematch of tonight’s contest that will conclude the regular season. First pitch is set for 1:00 p.m.
Morgantown Post 2 (14-13)
Kennell 3022 Thomas 4010 Forbes 2000 Montague 3001 Brennan 4010 Walters 4100 Cottle 3000 Croyle 2121 Nealy 1110
Berkeley Post 14 Hornets
Bailey 3110 Hartman 3020 Moore 3011 Reed 3010 Herndon 2000 Stevens 2000 Bubb 2000 Sifford 1000 Myers 3000 Broughton 2000
