Scott Runzer lifts Council Rock North

When he was an underclassmen playing for Council Rock North's football team, Scott Runzer was nicknamed "Sunshine" by his senior teammates. With his then-long blond hair, he reminded them of

Remember the Titans

character Ronnie "Sunshine" Bass.

"Yeah, this has been going on for a few years now," Runzer said. "I guess it does fit me pretty well."

It does fit, to a degree. But on the diamond, either as a pitcher or first baseman, Runzer's competitiveness does not make one think of Bass, a hippie type.

Yesterday, after yielding four hits and three runs in the first inning, Runzer settled down and pitched Council Rock North to an 8-5 victory over visiting Methacton in a PIAA District 1 Class AAAA second-round playoff matchup in Newtown.

"I got off to a slow start," the 6-foot-3, 200-pound senior said. "My arm has felt better. But they hit well. I was surprised."

For the Indians, second-place finishers in the Suburban One League National Conference, Runzer has been a big-time producer on offense. The West Chester recruit is batting .547 (35 for 64) with 26 RBIs, 19 runs, 12 doubles, 4 home runs, and 1 triple.

"I've been hitting pretty well," he said. "I try to use the whole field, hit to the left and to the right."

Against Methacton, Runzer, batting from the No. 3 hole, went 2 for 3 with an intentional walk. He delivered a two-out single past second base in the first inning and blooped a one-out single to left field in the third. Both times, he was left stranded.

"He's very athletic, has strong hand-eye coordination," Council Rock North coach Dan Kusters said. "He does a good job of staying back and going to the opposite field."

Tomorrow at 4 p.m., Council Rock North (13-5), the No. 3 seed from the North, will visit Pioneer Athletic Conference champion Owen J. Roberts (19-3), the South's No. 2 seed, in a quarterfinal contest.

Against the Warriors, Runzer, a righthander, allowed seven hits over the last six innings to notch a complete-game victory. He struck out six and walked four. Four of Methacton's five runs were earned.

Said Kusters: "He's a competitor, has good velocity, and he can spot pitches."

On the hill this season, the 18-year-old has notched a 6-2 record (six complete-game outings) with 59 strikeouts in 50 innings.

Down by 5-3, the Indians scored five runs on four hits in the fifth. The outburst, aided by three consecutive bases-loaded walks, was highlighted by a two-run single by senior shortstop Matt Hone.

While squandering a 4-0 lead, the Warriors (16-8) committed four errors. "Before this, we've been absolutely tremendous on defense," coach Paul Spiewak said. "More games than not, we had zero errors. It was just one of those days."

Methacton 301 100 0 - 5 11 4

Council Rock North 002 150 x - 8 9 1

WP: Scott Runzer. LP: Anthony Civitello. 2B: M–Todd Rubendall, Jon Bronstein. 3B: M–Rubendall.