LINDEN — North Montgomery advanced to Monday’s 6 p.m. championship game in their own 2A Sectional No. 21. The Chargers defeated Delphi 3-2 on Saturday on a two-out walk off single by junior Lucky Young.
The exciting victory was a case of players stepping up to the moment.
All season; North Montgomery has looked for a second consistent pitcher behind ace Talyn Sheldon. Despite winning 21 games, the Chargers have relied on good defense and offense using a starting pitching rotation by committee.
On Saturday, the Chargers were struggling on offense making uncharacteristic errors in the field and running the bases. In stepped senior Crew Cole to steady the ship. Cole pitched a seven-inning gem in his first start of the season.
The right-hander in seven innings gave up five hits, two runs, had three strikeouts and gave up two walks.
“Crew did a fantastic job,” Charger Coach Matt Voorhees said. “It was the perfect example of a player who loves baseball and as a senior rose to the occasion. I am so happy for Crew.”
Delphi’s starting pitcher Levi Coghill also threw fantastically. The junior did not surrender a hit until North’s Tucker Hinds single in the sixth inning. Coghill pitched 6.1 innings and surrendered just two hits while striking four and issuing four base on balls.
After Delphi rallied with a run in the top half of the seventh inning, the Chargers’ Keaton Brown got a single. After a strike out, Cole was struck by a pitch after Brown had stolen third base setting up Young’s heroics.
The Chargers led 2-0 early when they scored a run in each of the first and second innings without a hit. Delphi got on the board with an unearned run in the third inning to close the gap to 2-1 which did not change until Delphi’s last at-bat.
North Montgomery (21-8) will play Lafayette Central Catholic (23-6) in the 6 p.m. Monday championship game.
“We were in this position to win a 3A sectional just three years ago at Northwestern,” Voorhees said. “We need to play well, which this team is very capable.”
