Somerset ousted in District 5

SOMERSET — One swing did enough damage to put Somerset in a hole it never escaped from in its District 5-8-9 Class 3A sub-regional semifinal matchup against Chestnut Ridge.

Senior Christian Hinson's go-ahead three-run triple in the third inning provided more than enough run support for Garrett Emerick, who dominated on the mound in a complete game effort to help Chestnut Ridge eliminate Somerset with a 6-1 win on Thursday afternoon.

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The game could not have been more of a contrast to the one the two teams played in the regular season back on April 13, when the Golden Eagles limited the Lions to only two hits in a mercy-rule 12-1 victory.

This time around it was Emerick holding a high-powered Somerset offense to just one run on four hits.

The senior collected eight strikeouts compared to just two walks and allowed only five base runners over the final six innings to propel the Lions to the subregional championship against Punxsutawney next Tuesday at Bedford High School.

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"We talked about needing a leader to step up," said Chestnut Ridge coach Steve Conlon of Emerick's performance. "That's how you do it. Just take the ball and shove it in there. The defense played well behind him."

Somerset (11-8) took an early lead in the bottom of the first after Zane Hagans blasted an RBI triple to straightaway center to score Nolan Riggs, who walked with one out.

But that would be all the defending district champions could muster up as their season came to a screeching halt.

"All the credit goes to their pitcher," said Somerset coach Jimmy Mayer. "Garrett threw a heck of a game and just kept us off balance. He had his curveball working and threw it for strikes. We just couldn't put anything together. I just tip my cap to them."

Pitt-Johnstown recruit Brad Bruner singled and walked in his final game for the Golden Eagles. Callen Miller added a single, and Hagans finished 2-for-3 with an RBI.

Despite racking up at least two strikeouts in every inning except for the sixth, senior Aiden VanLenten suffered the loss after conceding five runs on seven hits to go along with 12 strikeouts and four walks in six innings of work.

"I’m just proud of my seniors and proud of the effort these guys put in," Mayer said of his group of eight seniors. "Didn't end how we wanted, but that's how baseball works."

Sophomore Cole Nicodemus had two hits, including a double, and reached base safely three times for the Lions (10-9). Freshman Brody Halkovich belted an RBI double and Kaden Emerick singled and scored a run.

Justin Whysong reached on a throwing error to kickstart Chestnut Ridge's third inning. Nate Whysong followed with a single and both moved into scoring position on a wild pitch by VanLenten.

Emerick walked to load the bases, setting up Hinson's game-altering triple to deep center field. Hinson finished 3-for-4 with a double and two runs scored.

"I’ve coached a lot of guys in 20 years and he is one of the better hitters I’ve seen," Conlon said. "Christian just got a hold of one and gave us that lead that we needed and Garrett just ran with it from there."

The Lions added to their lead with an insurance run in each of the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.

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