By Ryan Minkrmink@digitalsports.comWhen Damascus senior pitcher
Brian Anders saw Quince Orchard’s
Frank Barkanic square around to bunt with a runner bearing down from third base, he knew the squeeze was on.
And he knew exactly what to do.
“Throw it in his ear hole,” Anders said.
Anders threw the ball up and in, forcing Barkanic to scramble backwards to get the bat on the ball. It popped into the air, just high enough for the 6-foot-3 Anders to bound off the mound make a diving catch and double up the runner. Inning over.
The play proved to be the back-breaker in a tight 3-2 Damascus win at Quince Orchard in Friday’s season-opening game. Anders tossed a complete game while allowing just four hits.
“I knew I was going to catch it the whole way,” Anders said. “I knew he was coming.”
It’s the kind of play that Damascus
Coach Jim McManus said Anders just wouldn’t have made last season. McManus felt that Anders just wasn’t as mentally focused and didn’t have as strong of an attitude.
This year may be the start of something different, however. Anders rose to the top of Damascus’ strong pitching staff to get the game ball on Day 1 two years after McManus told the then-sophomore he could be his ace.
Anders didn’t throw a complete game at all last year mostly in long relief. On Friday, McManus had three pitchers ready to take the mound in case Anders flamed out or got stiff from the cold.
“He was getting stronger. I mean he threw just 80 pitches; it was awesome,” McManus said. “He’s a senior. It’s about time he showed a little senior leadership.”
Fellow senior
Brad Johnson also made his season debut a big one, providing most of the offense on the day. He went 4-for-4 with a key two-RBI single in the top of the third inning that tied the game at 2. Johnson drove in
Matthew Abelman, who was hit by a pitch, and
Justin Razmic, who reached on an error.
Chris Betts followed Johnson with an RBI single that brought in
Mark Smith, who reached via walk, to give Damascus it’s 3-2 lead.
Quince Orchard, who scored his first two runs on a passed ball and RBI single from freshman
Danny Mars, came to life again in the fifth. Mars started the inning with a double and No. 9 hitter
Greg Price followed with a single to move the game-tying run to third.
After a groundout, Barkanic squared around to try to push in the run via the suicide squeeze. Problem was for the Cougars; it proved deadly.
“He made a heck of a play laying out for it,” Quince Orchard
Coach Jason Gasaway said of the play Anders made. “If he was maybe 5’8” it probably would have worked. Unfortunately he’s a little taller than that. It definitely was a momentum swing.”
Damascus avenged a 6-5 loss to Quince Orchard suffered last season via a two-run homer in the top of the seventh inning. It was also sweet to get a win following the Hornets’ 4-3 loss to Seneca Valley in the 3A West region final to end last year’s season.
“That left a nasty taste in our mouth and we were anxious to get back on the field,” McManus said.