Schreiber in hurry to win one for Ridley

RIDLEY TWP. — No one wanted the game to end more than Ryan Schreiber.

The Ridley High catcher stood in the batter’s box with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh, no outs and a chance to be the hero.

Schreiber smoked a pitch by Penncrest relief pitcher Andrew Rosenberg the opposite way to right field, sending the Green Raiders home happy with a 5-4 Central League victory.

“I knew Schreiber was going to get a hit,” said TJ McNeely, who started the inning with a triple. “I knew if I got on base, we were going to win. I wasn’t trying to hit a triple, I was just trying to get on base.”

Schreiber had somewhere important to be and couldn’t stick around for a post-game interview. After the game winner, he more or less hugged a few of his teammates and ran to the parking lot. He was being honored by The Community’s Foundation at its 18th annual Recognition Reception at Springhaven Club in Wallingford. Schreiber was one of 15 local high school seniors to receive a scholarship award at the ceremony.

Later in the evening, though, he found time to call the Daily Times and discuss his walk-off hit.

“Unfortunately I got the hit, shook hands and had to get going. I didn’t even get to be in the huddle after,” he said. “It just feels great being able to help the team win, you know? Ridley hasn’t been to the playoffs (in a long time) and if we can get a league win and help with that, it’s pretty nice.”

Schreiber almost didn’t get the chance to be a hero. After McNeely’s three-bagger, Trent Pierce hit a ball deep in the hole and reached base without a throw. McNeely stood his ground at third. Cleanup hitter John Lockhart worked a 2-0 count before Penncrest coach Steve Smith called for an intentional walk. That set the stage for Schreiber.

“I was trying to make them sorry for walking the guy in front of me,” Schreiber said. “So, I don’t know if you saw my first swing, but I kind of gave myself one pitch to let me take a big hack at it. After that, I tried to shorten up and put the ball in play and give our team a shot to win.”

Schreiber was clutch with the bat, but he saved the game in the top of the seventh with his arm, throwing out Jeff Lunger attempting to swipe third base. It marked the second would-be base stealer that Schreiber threw out. Ridley reliever Ethan Pecko, who started at shortstop, retired the next two hitters on strikes to retire the side.

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With the bases loaded Ridley catcher Ryan Schreiber forces out Penncrest runner Kevin Mills at home in the fourth inning. The Green Raiders came from behind to win on a single by Schrieber in the bottom of the seventh. (PETE BANNAN/MEDIANEWS GROUP)