PHILADELPHIA -- After letting a tight pitcher’s duel slip away in the opener, Holy Family responded with authority.
The Tigers erupted for 16 runs in the second game of Saturday’s doubleheader, cruising to a 16–0 victory over Post at Maplezone Sports Institute to salvage a split in the two-game set.
Powered by a dominant pitching performance from Bryan Burtoft and an explosive offensive effort that produced five Tigers with multiple hits, Holy Family turned the nightcap into a runaway after an early breakthrough in the first inning.
Holy Family struck first with two runs in the opening frame, then steadily widened the gap as the afternoon progressed. The Tigers delivered their biggest damage late, scoring three or more runs in each of their final three at-bats to put the game out of reach.
Burtoft made sure the offensive outburst held up. The right-hander tossed seven scoreless innings, allowing just four hits while keeping the Eagles off balance throughout the afternoon to earn his first victory in a Holy Family uniform.
The Tigers’ lineup provided constant pressure.
Andres Rivera delivered the most complete performance of the day, finishing 3-for-3 with a home run, double, five RBIs, three runs scored, and two walks, finishing a triple shy of the cycle.
Jalen David added three hits of his own, going 3-for-5 with three RBIs and two runs, while Logan Mote finished 2-for-3 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored.
Jephson Hadson-Taylor continued the offensive surge with two extra-base hits, recording a triple and double while driving in two runs, and Perry Chetney joined the hit parade with a multi-hit performance as well.
Holy Family also received contributions throughout the lineup, as Brayden King and Griffin Richardson each scored multiple runs while reaching base several times.
The decisive victory came after a frustrating opening game earlier in the day.
Game 1: Post 3, Holy Family 1
The opener remained scoreless deep into the afternoon before Post broke through in the seventh inning, scoring three runs — the first coming on an unearned run — to take control.
Holy Family mounted a late push but could not capitalize. The Tigers outhit the Eagles 7–4 but stranded multiple runners in scoring position, including the tying run on second base in the seventh inning.
The strong pitching effort from the Tigers was ultimately wasted.
Starter Jorden Sesar delivered a dominant outing, striking out 10 batters while allowing just two hits across six innings. Reliever Hayden Hicks followed with 2.2 perfect innings, striking out six and keeping the Tigers within striking distance.
Offensively, Torin McKenzie reached base three times with a 2-for-3 performance and a walk, while Brayden King finished 2-for-4 with the Tigers’ lone RBI.
Holy Family and Post will return to Maplezone Sports Institute on Sunday to conclude the three-game series. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m..
In other action, No. 19/27 West Chester continued its strong start to the season Saturday afternoon, sweeping a doubleheader from Gannon with 9–2 and 9–5 victories at Serpico Stadium.
The Golden Rams (11–2) outscored the Golden Knights 18–7 across the twin bill and moved a step closer to another four-game series sweep heading into Sunday’s finale.
Game 1: West Chester 9, Gannon 2
Gannon grabbed a brief lead in the opening inning after a one-out triple and a run-scoring hit, but West Chester responded immediately.
Austin Stalker erased the deficit in the bottom of the first with a two-run home run, putting the Golden Rams ahead for good. West Chester steadily added to the lead throughout the afternoon.
Andrew Kell extended the advantage in the fourth with a two-run single, and Landen Rozich followed with a two-run home run to push the Rams in front 6–1. Hunter Smith added a sacrifice fly in the fifth, while John Dunion contributed another run with a sixth-inning sac fly before Rozich later scored on a balk to cap the scoring.
On the mound, Julian Costa continued his outstanding season, improving to 4–0 after allowing two runs on six hits over six innings while striking out four. Nick Cugino closed out the game with a scoreless seventh inning, striking out three.
Stalker led the offense, finishing 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs, while Kell and Rozich each drove in a pair.
Gannon grabbed a brief lead in the opening inning after a one-out triple and a run-scoring hit, but West Chester responded immediately.
Austin Stalker erased the deficit in the bottom of the first with a two-run home run, putting the Golden Rams ahead for good. West Chester steadily added to the lead throughout the afternoon.
Andrew Kell extended the advantage in the fourth with a two-run single, and Landen Rozich followed with a two-run home run to push the Rams in front 6–1. Hunter Smith added a sacrifice fly in the fifth, while John Dunion contributed another run with a sixth-inning sac fly before Rozich later scored on a balk to cap the scoring.
On the mound, Julian Costa continued his outstanding season, improving to 4–0 after allowing two runs on six hits over six innings while striking out four. Nick Cugino closed out the game with a scoreless seventh inning, striking out three.
Stalker led the offense, finishing 2-for-4 with two runs and two RBIs, while Kell and Rozich each drove in a pair.
Game 2: West Chester 9, Gannon 5
West Chester again struck early in the nightcap.
Stalker opened the scoring with an RBI single before Hunter Smith crushed a three-run home run later in the first inning to give the Rams a quick 4–0 lead. Chase Jones added another run in the third with an RBI single.
Gannon briefly made things interesting with a four-run fourth inning, cutting the deficit to 5–4. West Chester answered immediately in the bottom half of the inning, capitalizing on a Gannon error and a bases-loaded walk by Kell to rebuild the lead.
The Golden Rams added another run in the fifth when Drew Simpson drove home Christian Michak, who had reached earlier on a dropped pop-up.
Ben Jones earned the win in relief, tossing a scoreless fifth inning. Luke Raho allowed four runs while striking out five across four innings, and Cugino again finished the game, working a scoreless seventh to secure the 9–5 victory.
Stalker went 2-for-3 with a run and an RBI, while Smith drove in three runs with his first-inning homer.
West Chester will look to complete the four-game series sweep when the teams meet again Sunday afternoon.
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