The weather was gorgeous and the baseball was phenomenal on Tuesday afternoon as the Pirates downed the Pemberton Hornets 2-1 to claim a share of the BCSL Freedom Division title. It was the third win in a row for the Pirates, who will host New Egypt in a regular season game on Wednesday at 3:45pm.
“We’ve had some tough spots in games early in the season,” head coach Kevin Merrill said. “Being away, it’s a lot more pressure on the visiting team to tie it up and score a run. If they don’t, the home team has a free inning. Basically, we had three walk-off losses early in the season. They can be a little more relaxed when at home.”
Eddie Gore got the start on the mound for Cinnaminson, going all seven innings for his third win of the year. Gore yielded just one earned run on five hits, while striking out four en route to the victory.
“Eddie did an absolutely phenomenal job on the mound today,” Merrill said. “His pace was great. His locations were great. He did what we needed him to do today. I can’t say enough about him. Eddie showed today, he kept baserunners at a premium. They didn’t get a lot and every opportunity they got, he found a way to get out of it.”
Pemberton’s starter, Matt Stoots, was equally effective. He threw six innings, allowing the two earned runs on five hits, while striking out six. Both starters walked five batters in the game.
Cinnaminson wanted this game badly since Pemberton defeated them on the road over two different days due to suspension in play because of field conditions.
“It was a good win because we lost to them earlier,” center fielder Nick Thevanayagam said. “It shows we are a good team and what happened last game wasn’t us. We are playing at such a high level right now and it is coming at the best time.”
Each team committed only one error as the game was fun from start to finish for any baseball fan.
Third baseman Jimmy Dever got the game-winning hit, a monster two-run double to right field in the bottom of the third inning after Pemberton took a 1-0 lead in the second.
“We are always confident playing behind our pitchers,” Dever said. “Eddie pitched great today and it was good to get back at them while also winning a division title.”
The double came after Thevanayagam recorded his 100th career varsity hit, an infield single, to start the inning. He was followed with a single from Jimmy Cicale and then the Dever double. Dever finished with two hits. Nick Mahoney had the fifth hit for the Pirates.
“It’s funny how it worked out because I still remember my first career varsity hit was an infield single too,” Thevanayagam said. “So, it’s funny how it goes full circle. I’m just happy I got it. I didn’t really think I could get it my sophomore and junior year, but I really worked hard at it and am just really happy.”
Thevanayagam is the first Pirate to record his 100th career hit since Cole Pewor did it in 2013.
“We had Cole two years ago,” Merrill said. “Christian (DeLuca) was close last year. And now Thevy this year. To have this many guys this close is incredible. This doesn’t happen often. This isn’t something that is expected each year. It’s something special. There are maybe a handful of guys in the history of the school to do it.”
The regular season games in-between playoff games continue tomorrow when New Egypt comes to town at 3:45pm. Then, on Thursday, the Pirates will host division rival Delran for a second-round game in the Central, Group 2 Tournament at 4pm.
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