Panthers Sweep Doubleheader; Finish 14-0
The Potomac Falls Panthers achieved two milestones on Wednesday night...Sweeping the Dulles District, going 14-0, and taking the regular season Dulles District crown. Both being the first time in school history...
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STERLING, VA - The Potomac Falls Panthers reached two milestones on Wednesday night as they completed an undefeated Dulles District season and won the regular season crown for the first time in Panther history. On a night where the Panthers were involved in an unconventional doubleheader due to the recent rain make-up schedules, Potomac Falls defeated Broad Run 13-8 at Panther Park before boarding a bus and traveling across town to defeat Dominion 4-2 in the nightcap. With the wins, the Panthers ended the regular season at 14-0, and have earned an automatic berth, and 1st round bye, into the Regional II playoffs next week.
Potomac Falls 13 Broad Run 8
Just like the first time these two teams played, the Panthers jumped on the Spartans in the first inning on a two run homerun by Rob Malan. Malan celebrated Senior Night at Panther Park by bombing a 3-2 pitch from Jeff Hershey over the left field fence to put the Panthers up 2-0. Mike Spring followed with a single and was knocked in on Matt Rubino's RBI single to rightfield. The Panthers then added 5 more runs in the 3rd inning on doubles by Rubino and Matt Hoover and RBI singles by Ben Sweger and Rob Malan.
With Potomac Falls up 8-0 in the 5th, Broad Run finally got to Eric Dimsey. Jessop Conor, Nick Richardson and Andrew Hathaway had consecutive hits to score 1 run and Johnny Meier followed with a sacrifice fly to left to plate the second run. Shane Vlasic then drew a walk and Ryan Johnston hit a line drive back up the box that nailed Dimsey on the wrist ending the Senior's night. With the score 8-2, Jacob Kline entered the game and was promptly met by Patrick Murphy's triple to right to plate all three runners. Murphy then scored on Chris Jessop's sacrifice fly to make it 8-6.
As they have done all year, the Panthers came right back with 4 runs in their half of the inning. Chad McMichael reached on an error and was moved to third on Sweger's bunt single. Both runners were then driven in on Ryan Mahoney's single to center. Malan followed with a single and he and Mahoney scored on Spring's double to centerfield to make the score 12-8. The Panthers added an insurance run in the 6th on singles by Kline and Sweger.
Broad Run had one last shot in the 7th when Vlasic lead off with a double and Johnston followed with a single. Chris Jessop then hit an RBI double to plate Vlasic. With one out, Zach Rawson hit a flyball to left that was caught by Ryan Mahoney. On the play, Johnston scored but Rubino cut the throw to home off and gunned to Sweger who tagged Jessop at second base to end the game.
For the Panthers, Ben Sweger had 3 hits and Ryan Mahoney, Rob Malan (HR), Mike Spring and Matt Rubino all had 2 hits apiece. For Broad Run, Shane Vlasic, Ryan Johnston, Conor Jessop and Andrew Hathaway all had 2 hits apiece.
Potomac Falls 4 Dominion 2
In the nightcap, this game turned into a classic pitchers duel between Jacob Kline and Ryan Doyle. Kline finished the night by striking out 12 Titans and Doyle finished with 7 strikeouts as both teams labored, looking to scratch out runs throughout the game.
The Panthers struck first when Mike Spring lead off the 2nd inning with a deep homerun to leftfield. The Senior catcher hit the first pitch he saw from Doyle and deposited the fastball over the leftfield fence for a 1-0 lead. Potomac Falls added runs in the 3rd and 4th innings. In the 3rd, Ben Sweger led off with a double to rightfield and promptly stole third base before scoring on Ryan Mahoney's groundout. In the 4th, Matt Rubino hit a double to centerfield and stole third base. On the play, Anthony Bartolotti's throw sailed into leftfield and Rubino scored to give the Panthers a 3-0 lead.
The Titans finally got to Kline in the 4th after Kline had already recorded 7 strikeouts through 3 innings. Ryan Doyle led off with a single to center and advanced to third on a Bartolotti double to rightfield. On the play, Matt Hoover make a diving attempt on the ball but the umpires ruled that he trapped the ball and the Titans had runners on 2nd and 3rd for Ryan Skeffington. Skeffington then stroked a curveball to center to score both runners and make it 3-2. Kline then struckout the next two batters to end the threat.
Potomac Falls added one more run in the 6th on a single by Rob Malan. After walks to Spring and Rubino loaded the bases, Kline grounded out to short to score Malan and end the scoring at 4-2.
Kline picked up his 7th win of the season and his 12 strikeouts just added to his Potomac Falls record for strikeouts. Mike Spring's 3rd homer of the season was the key for the Panthers as they ended their regular season 14-0 and head into the District Tournament on Friday as the #1 seed. For Dominion, the loss is a tough one as they now have to scoreboard watch to determine whether they will have a home game on Friday by finishing in the 4th spot in the Dulles standings.
The Dulles District tournament begins Friday, with Potomac Falls hosting the Freedom Eagles. Log on to gamedaymagazine.com Thursday evening to see all of the 1st round match-ups...
