Panthers Explode for 17 Runs In Dulles Win
LEESBURG, VA - Potomac Falls brought their bats to Loudoun County High School tonight as they pounded out 15 hits and scored 17 runs against the Raiders. Michael Detaranto got the win for the Panthers as he limited the Raiders to five hits, and one run, over five innings, earning the 17-5 victory.
Potomac Falls got to Loudoun County starting pitcher Conor Courtney in the first inning with three runs, on Rob Malan's RBI single, and Michael Spring's two RBI double to left field. The onslaught continued in the second inning with two more runs on an RBI single by Chad McMichael, and another RBI by Malan. The Raiders managed to get one run back in the second inning on consecutive singles by Courtney and Nick Veschi. Courtney was then knocked in on a double by Danny Covell.
The Panthers scored three more runs in the fourth inning, off of reliever Zach Hayden, when Jake Orpin singled, and scored on a single by Greg Woodlief. After McMichael was hit by a pitch, Aaron Sweger hit a single to left field to score Woodlief, and Malan followed with his third RBI of the game to plate McMichael.
Potomac Falls added two more runs in the sixth inning and Pat Nightingale came into the game to relieve Detaranto. After walking the first batter he faced, Nightingale settled down to retire the side. With the score at 10-1 in the seventh inning, the Panthers exploded for seven runs with the big blows being a bases loaded triple by Sweger and a two RBI triple by Nightingale.
Loudoun County mounted a small comeback in their half of the seventh inning, scoring four runs on singles by Spencer Johnson and Chris DeMarco, and three fielding errors by Potomac Falls. With the score at 17 - 5, Nightingale induced Bret Tagg to hit a come-backer to the mound to end the game.
Highlights for Potomac Falls included Pat Nightingale (3-5 with 4 RBI's) Aaron Sweger (2-3 with 4 RBI's), Rob Malan (2-5 with 3 RBI's) and Mike Detaranto (5 innings, 5 hits, 3 BB's, 2K's and 1 run).
