After some shaky losses, Shillington surging

by Don Stewart, Reading Eagle

Posted on June 23, 2006

Shillington coach Chris Hole preaches the basics: pitching, defense and timely hitting. It's a recurring theme his players probably hear in their sleep.
So it was somewhat ironic when the Red Sox suffered a breakdown in one of those areas in early season Berks Legion League losses to Gregg Post, Boyertown and Topton.

The Red Sox had six errors in the 12-4 loss to Gregg Post. The 10 walks they surrendered to Boyertown played a role in a 22-4 blowout. Shillington then hammered 13 untimely hits in a 5-3 upset loss to Topton.

“It's ironic that in those three games, one thing came back to bite us,” Hole said. “But since then, we've been consistent. I've got to give a lot of credit to my boys. They're working hard and they're gelling.”

Shillington (7-3, 11-4) has won nine of its last 10 games. The lone loss during that span was an 8-6 non-league defeat to Manheim Township, which was the Quad-A state runner-up in high school ball.

Thanks to the new divisional format, the Red Sox need every league win they can get. Four of five teams in the Red Division make the Berks playoffs, but each of those teams looks playoff-worthy at this point.

Despite their recent streak, the Red Sox are tied with Exeter for fourth and could still be the odd team out.

“With the way our division is, you know we're gonna beat each other up a little bit,” Hole said. “But it puts more value on every other league game, no matter who you play.”

The Red Sox would love to have that Topton game back. But since then, they've outscored their opponents 97-35.

“The Topton game,” Hole said, “was kind of a wake-up call for us.”

Cutting their teeth: Back in preseason, Boyertown coach Rick Moatz was concerned with his team's lack of big-game experience.

So far, it hasn't been a problem.

Off to a 21-0 start, the Bears are looking like something special. This week, they've outscored their opponents 74-9 and hit six home runs. Prior to that outburst, Boyertown hadn't knocked one out of the park since late May.

Moatz likes the improved depth of his pitching staff, which is led by ace Matt Kelly (3-0 in league games).

“I think we have some good things going,” Moatz said. “I think we have a nucleus of good players who are getting the job done and making the routine plays and playing steady. That's kind of what we're looking for right now: steady play and doing the little things right.”

Full slate: Joel Graff's first year as Kutztown's head Legion coach was 1996. He got off to a late start that season, thanks to a lengthy run into the state playoffs by the high school team.

Graff's team finished 7-16.

The 11th-year Cougars coach is facing a similar situation this season. Because Kutztown's high school team reached the Class AA state playoffs, the Cougars didn't make their Legion debut until June 10.

“This is a totally different team,” Graff said. “I've been trying to pick my spots to give everyone a rest. They seem to be responding. We're playing well.”

Despite playing 11 games in 13 days, Kutztown is 6-5 and tied for first in the Blue Division with Fleetwood. The Cougars lost 15-8 Thursday night to perennial power West Lawn.

Even without the late start, Graff expected Fleetwood and Topton to put plenty of pressure on his team in the division race.

“I'm not discouraged,” he said. “Even with the setback, I think we could have had a better record now. We maybe gave away a couple that we shouldn't have. But on the whole, I have no complaints. We're playing OK. Always could be better.

“I think once we start doing the little things, we'll be not just a good team, but a playoff contender.”

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