DUBOIS — Brookville overcame a quick Kane start and a 2-0 first-inning deficit to take the District 9 Class AAA baseball championship, 17-2, in just four innings.
The Wolves (6-7), which had won three of their last four entering the matchup, jumped out to a quick 2-0 lead on a two-run homer from Ty Stahli — the Wolves’ only hit of the game.
“Deep down, I knew we had the kind of team that could come back,” Brookville coach Nathan Bonfardine said. “But that was kind of a shell-shocker right off the bat. That was a nice hit by Stahli.”
But then Brookville (11-8) went on a tear to the tune of 17 unanswered runs, keyed by a solo shot from Seth Dunkle in the bottom of the first and a 10-run third inning, during which eight runs came with two outs recorded, and a six-run fourth.
“Brookville was just good today, and they hit everything that we threw at them,” Kane coach Mark Kossack said. “We only committed two errors. They just hit the ball, and all the credit to Brookville.”
Meanwhile, Raiders starting pitcher Aaron Park settled in to silence the Kane bats, as he held the Wolves scoreless through the game’s final three innings. He finished with seven strikeouts and just two walks, and allowed two runs on Kane’s one hit.
“Aaron threw a heck of a game on just 62 pitches,” Bonfardine said of the club’s ace. “He was completely lights out.”
Park’s impressive day wasn’t just one the mound, either. He finished 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI, and that double was what started the 10-run third frame. He also added a two-RBI single during the frame.
Behind him, the Raiders picked up RBI singles from Cole LaBenne and Brady Cayler, and a pair of doubles from Tanner LaBenne, one for one RBI and the other for two.
Between those hits, Brookville drew three walks and Kane committed one error.
“That third inning, we really started to click on all cylinders,” Bonfardine said. “It was nice to see (our guys) passing the torch to the next guy and taking care of what you can take care of and letting the guys behind you do what they need to do to get you across home plate.”
The outburst continued into the fourth inning, as the Raiders plated six more runs to bring the final score to a 17-2 mercy rule win.
In that frame, Dunkle had a two-RBI double, Jace Miner added an RBI single and Hunter Geer plated two RBI on a single. Brookville also scored one of its runs in the inning on the other Kane error.
Bonfardine said he was especially pleased to see his charges hitting well with runners in scoring position, as the team had worked on it in the practices leading up to Wednesday evening.
The Raiders began the game 0-for-5 with runners in scoring position, but finished 9-for-19, which included a 6-for-10 third inning and 3-for-5 fourth.
“This season, we’ve struggled with runners on base. The last two days at practice, we’ve been working on that and putting our guys in those situations — to practice getting guys across home plate,” he said. “Today we did a great job of doing that.”
Dunkle led Brookville with a 3-for-4 day that included a home run, a double and five RBI. Park went 3-for-3 with a double and two RBI.
The win brings an emphatic end to a skid that saw Brookville lose five of its final six regular season games. The Raiders, now with a little confidence and flare, take on District 5 champion Bedford on Wednesday in Punxsutawney with a trip to states on the line.
“I’m pleased with the outcome, and today was a nice ballgame,” Bonfardine said. “We’re looking forward to playing Bedford next week.”
The Bison (11-8) overcame a six-run deficit to top Chestnut Ridge 17-12 in that District championship.
First pitch for Wednesday’s game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m.
AT DUBOIS
R H E
Kane 200 0XX X 2 1 2
Brook 10(10) 6XX X 17 14 0
Ty Stahli (2 SO, 4 BB), Austin Jordan (3) (0 SO, 1 BB), Austin Jordan (3) (0 SO, 1 BB), Carson Whiteman (1 SO, 4 BB) and Robert Rumcik
Aaron Park (7 SO, 2 BB) and Dane Lyle
HR: Stahli (K), Seth Dunkle (B)
