For The Dialog
CLAYMONT – No. 12 Archmere, playing as the visiting team on its home field, knocked defending state baseball champion Appoquinimink out of the playoffs with a 7-1 win on May 23.
The game had been scheduled to be played at Hodgson, but it was moved because of weather. The visiting Auks got a run in the first against Jags starter Ryan Steckline. Andrew Orzel worked a walk, and Joe Singley also walked with two outs. Dan Matranga hit a single to score Orzel. Appo, the fifth seed, tied the game in the bottom of the inning as Steckline doubled in Javon Fields.
Archmere took the lead for good in the third as Colin Lynch singled to lead off and moved to second on an error. Singley singled Lynch home for the 2-1 lead.
The Auks picked up the offense in the fifth. Tighe Watson opened with a double, and Orzel walked. They moved up on a passed ball. Matranga hit a ball to the pitcher, who threw home to get Watson in a rundown, but the catcher dropped the ball, allowing Watson to score. Michael Dellose singled in two more with two outs for a 5-1 advantage.
Orzel didn’t allow any more runs after the first.
“I had trouble throwing strikes early, but I didn’t let the walks hurt me,” he said.
Singley added two more runs batted in in the sixth for the final margin. Orzel said the did a good job putting pressure on the Jaguars.
“It’s all about putting pressure on the defense, and we did that today with a couple of hit-and-runs, slash-and-runs, and it all worked,” he said.
Orzel went the distance, giving up just two hits and striking out five. The Auks (13-6) advance to the quarterfinals, where they will meet the winner of Dover and either Milford or Red Lion, who complete their game this afternoon. The game will be Thursday at a site and time to be determined.
