A sixth-inning error proved to be the difference Monday as the Montour Spartans dropped a 2-1 decision to host DuBois in the opening round of the PIAA Class 5A baseball tournament.
The loss ended Montour’s season at 18-7 while the Beavers move on to play WPIAL champion Upper St. Clair Thursday.
The Spartans came up short despite a stellar pitching performance from Matteo Weber, who went the distance and gave up just three hits and one walk while striking out 10.
DuBois’ Noah Farrell was just as effective, as he struck out 13 batters while allowing only five hits and one walk.
“Their starter threw a great game – and so did ours,” Montour coach Bob Janeda said afterward.
DuBois went up 1-0 in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, Weber hit Trey Wingard with a pitch and a fielder’s choice left Mason Dinkfelt at first with two outs.
Farrell followed with a double to drive home Dinkfelt to make it 1-0.
Montour evened the score at 1-1 in the third when Zander Stern led off with a double, moved to third on a sacrifice and came around to score on a wild pitch.
The game remained tied until the sixth. DuBois’ Samson Deeb led off with a bunt that was misplayed, allowing him to reach second. After an intentional walk left runners at first and second, Weber struck out Dinkfelt for the first out.
Farrell was then retired on a fly ball to right field for the second out. Deeb headed to third after tagging up, and when the throw reached the infield, a Montour fielder attempted to catch the other runner off first base. But the throw went over the head of the Spartans’ first baseman, allowing Deeb to score what proved to be the winning run.
Montour rallied in the top of the seventh but could not push across the tying run.
Dalton Young led off the inning with a base hit and a pair of strikeouts left Young at first. Zachary Ciamacco then singled to right and Young advanced to third base.
Then, with Stern at the plate, Farrell threw a pitch that DuBois catcher Wingard couldn’t handle cleanly. Young broke for the plate, but Wingard recovered and threw to Farrell at home in time to nab Young for the game’s final out.
“We took a shot on the passed ball, but their catcher made a great play,” Janeda said. “We had our leadoff hitter up, but with two outs, you have to take a chance there.”
Janeda said it wasn’t easy seeing his team lose a second close game in its last three outings. The Spartans had the potential winning run on third base with two outs in the bottom of the seventh of their May 21 WPIAL semifinal loss to Upper St. Clair and on Monday couldn’t bring home the tying run in the seventh against DuBois.
“It seemed like we were 90 feet away a couple of times this season,” said Janeda, whose team had won 11 straight games before its 13-10 eight-inning loss to Upper St. Clair. “Today was a tough game. But I’m very pleased with the season overall. I’m proud of our seniors.
“I’ll take 18-7 every year.”
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