Baseball

Portage knocks out Guilfoyle

By Calem Illig

sports@altoonamirror.com

PORTAGE -- Although there are a few star sluggers on the roster, the Portage baseball team has fueled its unbeaten campaign in 2022 with contributions from through its lineup.

As the top-seeded Mustangs hosted No. 5 Bishop Guilfoyle Tuesday in the District 6 Class 2A semifinals, Portage used its deep lineup once again to punch its ticket into the district title game.

Seven players tallied at least one hit, and eight Mustangs scored a run as Portage defeated the Marauders, 9-1.

"We really did extremely well in the batters box," Portage coach Larry McCabe said. "Even our outs were hit well, and (Bishop Guilfoyle) had a couple good outs, too. These kids predetermined that they weren't going to let anything stop us from getting to the district championship."

With the victory, the Mustangs (20-0) advances to face Mount Union this Saturday in the district title game at People's Natural Gas Field.

It is the first championship game appearance for Portage since 2016.

"This is such an amazing feeling," Portage senior catcher Jace Irvin said. "We were so close last year, and we weren't going to let anything stop us this time."

Portage nearly advanced to last year's district championship game but lost a six-run lead to Southern Huntingdon before dropping an 11-7 affair in extra innings.

The sting from last season resonated with the Mustangs, and after taking an early lead against the Marauder, Portage didn't waste the opportunity this time around.

Senior Ty Alexander recorded five of his game-high nine strikeouts in the final three innings to put Bishop Guilfoyle away.

"I had to go out and hit my spots," said Alexander, who pitched a complete game and allowed only three hits. "That was really key for me. (Bishop Guilfoyle) a great hitting ballclub, and I didn't have as many (strikeouts) today as usual. They put the ball in play, and hats off to them, but our defense was spot on."

Portage took control of the game early and held a 7-0 lead after just three innings.

Irvin, Alexander and Isaac Jubina opened the scoring after they each cashed in off a Marauder error, and an RBI single by Andrew Miko drove home senior Adam Stauski.

Alexander drove in two more runs in the third with a single, and Nate Moore produced another RBI single to put the Mustangs ahead.

"Everybody stepped up today," Irvin said. "Everyone was hitting."

Bishop Guilfoyle (11-8), which recorded just three hits, scored its only run of the game in the fourth inning after Owen Dobrowsky stole home.

"We knew going in that Portage's pitcher was really good, and he showed that today," Bishop Guilfoyle coach Tommy Williams said. "He's probably one of the best pitchers we've seen all season. We can't make those errors against a team like this."

Portage is seeking its first district championship since 1986.

Mount Union, which is the third seed in Class 2A, defeated Marion Center Tuesday, 7-1.

"It's really special to be able to represent our community at this stage," Irvin said. "We're hoping to bring it home."

BISHOP GUILFOYLE (1): Rother ss 301, Beauchamp p/2b 300, Sell 1b/p 300, Dombrosky 2b/3b 210, Negola cf 301, Wyandt c 101, Querry 2b 200, Fochler ph 100, DeGennaro 3b/1b 200, Reilly 1b, Siford rf 200. Totals -- 23-1-3.

PORTAGE (9): Alexander p 312, Claar ss 311, Miko cf 413, Scarton 1b 300, Irvin c 312, Jubina 3b 311, Kargo 2b 310, Moore lf 411, Stauski rf 321. Totals -- 29-9-11.

SCORE BY INNING

Bishop Guilfoyle………..000 100 0 -- 1 3 3

Portage……………………. 043 110 X -- 9 11 2

E -- Lafferty 2, Rother, Jubina, Alexander. 2B -- Jubina, Miko. RBI -- Alexander 2, Miko 2, Claar.

PITCHING

Portage: Alexander (W) -- 7 IP, 3H, 9K, 3BB, 1R, 1ER

Bishop Guilfoyle: Beauchamp (L) -- 3 IP, 7H, 2K, 3BB, 7R, 6ER. Sell -- 2 IP, 4H, 1K, 3BB, 2R, 2ER. DeGennaro -- 1 IP, 0H, 2K, 0BB, 0R, 0ER.

Records: Portage (20-0); Bishop Guilfoyle (11-8).