Knights battle past Falcons, move closer to state crown

NORTH PENN 2, PENNSBURY 1

In recent seasons, North Penn has had several pitchers emerge from the shadows to become a frontline starter as a senior. Brian Maher, Mike Bradstreet, and Dylan Borowski are among that group.

James Witner has continued that tradition. After previously toiling in relative anonymity, the 6-foot, 160-pound righthander is the ace for a Knights squad that is two wins away from its second PIAA Class AAAA state title in three seasons.

In his second start in as many days, Witner twirled a complete-game four-hitter as North Penn nipped Suburban One League rival Pennsbury, 2-1, in a taut quarterfinal Thursday afternoon at Spring-Ford's Ram Stadium.

"I didn't get too many starts last year," Witner said. "I was pretty much a reliever. I had no problem with that role. You do whatever is best for the team."

Witner, who is 8-1 this season, returned to the mound after throwing 13 pitches in the first two innings of Wednesday's 5-0, opening-round victory over Olney Charter at Penncrest.

"He's so poised, controls the game so well, and just knows how to pitch," said skipper Kevin Manero, whose Knights (21-4) will take on District 7's Shaler in a Monday semifinal at a site and time to be determined.

Witner scattered four singles and walked only one against Pennsbury. In the fourth, following Billy Bethel's one-out single and two wild pitches, Zach Szumigala's sacrifice fly to left field gave the Falcons (20-6) a 1-0 advantage.

With North Penn clinging to a 2-1 lead and one out in the seventh, Witner gave up a single to center and plunked the next batter. That brought on a visit from Manero.

"After James hit [Logan Buell], you could see he was miffed," North Penn senior third baseman Jared Melone said. "But we knew he would bounce back. He was amazing that last inning."

Witner, who is bound for West Chester, induced a fielder's choice grounder to shortstop Mike Christy and, with the tying run at third, got the clinching out on a grounder that Melone cleanly handled and fired across the diamond.

"This is a nice situation, getting to the semis," Witner said. "Not too many teams reach this level. But we still have to go out and continue playing our brand of baseball."

Melone, a La Salle recruit, went 2 for 2 with a run. He singled and scored on an errant throw in the fifth and drove in the deciding marker with a sacrifice fly to center in the sixth.

Pennsbury junior southpaw Zach Conley (7-2) whiffed seven, walked none, and picked off three baserunners while going the distance.

"That was his best outing of the year," Falcons coach Joe Pesci said. "He pitched out of jams. You couldn't ask for much more."

Melone and Douglas Apple started the sixth with back-to-back singles. Jake Schuster followed with a perfectly-placed, left-side bunt. Conley fielded the ball, but his flip to third base went over the head of Billy Bethel, allowing Melone to score.

"He's out there trying to make a play," Pesci said. "If he throws that ball and gets an out at third, he's a hero. Unfortunately, his throw was high."

North Penn 000 011 0-2 8 0

Pennsbury 000 100 0-1 4 1

WP: James Witner. LP: Zach Conley.