05/16/22 Mirror photo by Patrick Waksmunski / Portage's Tyler Alexander springs up from a slide after stealing home on a wild pitch as Kaden Claar stands outside the batters box.

By Michael Boytim

mboytim@altoonamirror.com

CRESSON — It’s fair to say Portage’s Tyler Alexander had a five-star day Monday.

The senior shortstop had five hits in five at bats and scored five runs while leading the Mustangs to an 18-8 victory over Rockwood to win the WestPAC championship at Mount Aloysius, a victory that also assured Portage of the top seed in the upcoming District 6 Class 2A playoffs.

“I’m not going to lie, this is the first time I’ve had a five-hit game,” Alexander said. “My approach in the box was just to go up there, be aggressive, see fastballs and let it rip.”

That’s exactly what Alexander did, lacing the second pitch of the game to the fence for a double that helped Portage take an early lead. It was his first of three extra-base hits, which included another double and a triple. He also drove in three runs.

The Mustangs held an 11-7 lead through five innings but sealed the game with a seven-run sixth.

“It means a lot to the school,” Portage coach Larry McCabe said. “We’re going into the Heritage Conference next year in every sport. We knew this was the last chance to win a WestPAC. We watched our boys basketball team win it, and I have a handful of those kids on this team, and we did it again here.”

The victory capped an 18-0 campaign for Portage heading into the District 6 playoffs, which begin Thursday.

“We have to continue to get better,” McCabe said. “These guys have earned the right to play at home. If you win the first, you play at home again in the second, and if you win that you’re in the state playoffs no matter what. I feel good about being undefeated, because we’re going to have a home playoff game. We feel good at our home park.”

Portage actually fell behind, 5-3, in the bottom of the second inning when Rockwood took advantage of a pop up that was lost in the sun, an error and three walks. But the poor inning didn’t faze the Mustangs, who aren’t used to losing in any sport.

“They are so athletic,” McCabe said. “There are so many athletes on this team. We lost four games in football, two in basketball and we haven’t lost in baseball. To have six losses in three boys’ sports, that tells you about your athletes. It’s a pretty good group. All I have to do is write up the lineup and let them do their thing.”

Portage bounced back with its own five-run inning in the top of the fourth inning. Andrew Miko, who finished 4-for-4, scored three runs and had three RBIs, had an RBI single during the rally.

“They are a top team, a good team and well coached,” Rockwood coach Steve Barto said. “I predict they will go far in states. They are that good, but I’m really proud of how my boys played, especially putting up eight runs early in the game against their pitching.”

Portage walked five Rockwood batters on Monday, something McCabe wants to see tightened up before the postseason.

“We set a goal to only strike out four times in a seven inning game and only walk two batters,” McCabe said. “We definitely didn’t do the walks, but we put the ball in play. I tell them when we do those two things, we’re going to be in the game and have a chance to win. Those are goals we set, and we practice it. We work on two-strike hitting and putting the ball in play.”

Jonathan Felesky had two hits and three RBIs for Rockwood, which will compete in the upcoming District 5 playoffs.

Kaden Claar and winning pitcher Luke Scarton each added two hits for the Mustangs, who won the WestPAC baseball title for the second year in a row.

“It’s a great feeling, especially with it being my senior year,” Alexander said. “Portage is going to the Heritage Conference next year, so it’s a great feeling to come out on top and win the conference one last time. Step one was win the conference. Step two is to compete for a district title, and I like our odds.”

PORTAGE (18): Modrak cf 220, Show lf-p 311, Weaver 3b-c 222, Felesky 1b 402, Pletcher p-lf-ss 413, Beahr ss-3b 300, Brown rf-lf 412, Trimpey c-rf 000, Whipke dh 311, Brueing 2b 300. Totals–28-8-11.

ROCKWOOD (8): Alexander ss 555, Claar 2b 422, Miko p-cf 434, Scarton 1b-p 512, Irvin c 300, Jubina 3b 411, Kargo cf-lf 321, Moore lf-rf 310, McCoy pr 000, A. Stauski rf-1b 331. Totals–34-18-16.

SCORE BY INNINGS

Portage 120 537 X–18 16 3

Rockwood 050 201 X– 8 11 1

E–Jubina, Scarton, Claar, Beahr. 2B–Alexander 2, Scarton, Brown, Pletcher, Felesky. 3B–Alexander, A. Stauski, Miko, Jubina. RBI–Alexander 3, Claar, Miko 3, Scarton 2, Jubina 2, A. Stauski 2, Felesky 3, Weaver, Pletcher, Brown.

PITCHING

Portage: Miko — 2IP, 4H, 3K, 3BB, 5R, 1ER, 47 pitches; Scarton (W)–4IP, 7H, 5K, 2BB, 3R, 3ER, 57 pitches.

Rockwood: Pletcher (L)–3•IP, 7H, 4K, 5BB, 1HBP, 8R, 7ER, 80 pitches; Show–2ªIP, 9H, 0K, 3BB, 1HBP, 10R, 10ER, 81 pitches.

Records: Portage (18-0); Rockwood (11-3).