Anthracite cruises past Freeland

FREELAND – The Anthracite 11-12-year-old Little League all-star team has positioned itself at making a run for a District 18 championship.

That was very evident Friday evening against a talented Freeland squad.

The difference: Anthracite has all the combinations — from pitching, hitting and defense.

All three showed up in a 10-0 five-inning victory to stay perfect in the tournament and set up a huge showdown with Valley West on Tuesday. The Coal Barons and West will meet in the winners’ bracket finals at Lansford Little League. Freeland dropped into the loser’s bracket.

Josh Black, the winning manager, thought his team could have lost some momentum in the first inning if they hadn’t scored any runs. Anthracite’s first three batters reached base, but two infield pop outs followed and the team had nary a run to show for their quick start.

“It could have went sideways there,” said Black when asked about the two outs and no runs. “But we got three and it was a good start … the best we’ve had this tournament.”

Chase Weaver and Tyler Black both singled before Stephen Hood drew a walk to load the bases. Freeland starting pitcher Gavin Percosky got the next two hitters to pop out before Drew Kokinda was nailed with a pitch to force in a run. A wild pitch allowed two runners to score for the 3-0 lead.

In the second, the Coal Barons connected for three hits and took advantage of two errors to score four more runs and extend their lead to 7-0. The spotlight was on Haydon Goida, who had a stellar evening with three hits, three RBIs and a home run. He slapped out a single for his first RBI in the rally, and then teammate Kokinda sent a screamer down the third-base line for a two-run triple.

“(The rally) loosened the kids up,” said Black. “Goida is a heck of a baseball player; I was glad to see him come alive with the bat.”

After a silent third inning, Goida uncorked his two-run homer to right center, driving in Cody Orsulek to lift the Anthracite advantage to 9-0. The contest was settled on a wild pitch in the fifth, which scored the team’s 10th run and ended the contest.

“It felt good batting,” said Goida. “(The home run) was a fastball. I knew it was going out. It was my second this season.”

Hood took the mound to start and allowed two hits, both by leadoff batter Riley Katchur. Hood was relieved by Black in the top of the fourth.

GRINDING … Anthracite is a seasoned bunch, having played together for three summers. They have size and athletes and will get a big test Tuesday facing perennial power Valley West.

HITTING AWAY … Weaver was most impressive for the winners, finishing 4-for-4. Tyler Black had two singles and Goida launched a home run and double. Adding singles were Trey McAndrew, Brady Briener and Kokinda.

IMPRESSIONS … Mikayla Urinovich nearly hit a bomb over the right-field fence for Anthracite in the bottom of the third. The shot was hauled in, taking away sure extra bases. Hood tossed 50 pitches and can start Tuesday. Katcher’s two singles led his team with Derain Haraechak adding the other single.

Freeland 000 00 - 0 3 2

Anthracite 340 21 - 10 11 0

Percosky, Burns (2), Yakaboski (3), Chambers (5); Hood, Black (4) and Orsulek, Goida (4). W - Hood. L - Percosky.