Big 6th Inning Sinks Blue Mountain in District Playoff Opener

Bangor Area scored four runs in the 6th inning Tuesday to get by Blue Mountain, 5-3, in the District XI Class 5A quarterfinals.

A two-run single to right field by Chase Panczer gave the Slaters the lead after the Eagles had manufactured themselves a 3-1 lead coming into the inning.

Bangor Area batters strung together four hits in the inning. That combined with a hit batter by Blue Mountain starting pitcher Aidan Grace, put the Eagles in a difficult position down the stretch.

Relief pitcher Gino Merlo allowed just two Blue Mountain baserunners over the final three innings to earn the victory for the Slaters.

Prior to his entry into the game, Blue Mountain took advantage of some sloppy throwing and fielding errors to move runners around the bases and build that two-run lead going into the 6th.

The Eagles managed just one base hit in the first four innings but Bangor Area committed five errors in that time.

Blue Mountain got on the board in the first after Grace reached on a shortstop error and then rounded the bases on a single by Brady Strause, who made it to third, thanks to a costly bobble by the Slaters centerfielder.

Evan Setlock added a run in the second inning after he drew a walk and eventually scored thanks to another error. Ryan Clemas scored the Eagles’ third run in the fourth inning after drawing a walk and was brought home on a groundout by Riley Sebastian.

Leading up to the sixth, Grace pitched masterfully, allowing just 1 run on 4 hits while striking out 4 and walking just 1 Bangor Area batter.

DISTRICT XI PLAYOFFS:

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