Baseball: With help, Collings pitches Marple into semis

MALVERN >> Whatever explanation there was for Council Rock North using its No. 3 hitter to bunt two runners over in the sixth inning, with Ricky Collings and Marple Newtown holding a three-run lead, doesn’t matter at this point. The game is over. Marple Newtown, the No. 5 seed out of District One, dealt the district’s runner-up a 3-1 defeat in the quarterfinal round of the PIAA Class AAAA tournament Thursday at Immaculata University. MN will meet District Seven second-place finisher Plum High in the semifinals Monday at a time and site to be determined.

The Tigers (20-7) won because Collings pitched a complete-game gem. They won because designated hitter Brian Reynolds raked. They won because they grinded out at-bats and knocked starter Gavin Ferrandino out of the game after three innings. And they won because of defense, like the nice snag first baseman Corey Woodcock made while leaning over the guardrail in foul territory, or the nifty, barehanded grab Collings made as he covered first base for a not-so-routine 3-1 putout. But, boy, did Council Rock North not do itself any favors. Let’s take you back to the bottom of the sixth, which included one of the most mind-boggling plays you’ll see in a baseball game, considering the circumstances.

Leadoff hitter Cavan Tully singled to right and Jackson Parker worked a five-pitch walk. Next up was Matt Hand, who singled in his previous at-bat and hit a deep fly ball in his first plate appearance. He’s probably one of the best hitters on the club, otherwise he wouldn’t be in the three-spot. But Hand gave one of six remaining outs away with a sacrifice bunt. Collings, who fields his position wonderfully, fired to first for the first out. The runners advanced, but the chances of Collings getting out of trouble increased … thanks to the bunt.

“It definitely helps me out a lot when I know they’re not going to swing the bat. You got a sure out,” Collings said.

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Marple Newtown pitcher Ricky Collings slides into second base with a steal Thursday during the Tigers’ 3-1 win over Council Rock North in the PIAA Class AAAA quarterfinals. (Digital First Media/Pete Bannan)