BROCKTON — Just the 10th seed in Division 3 North, Georgetown defied the odds, winning four straight tourney games in the last two weeks. But Abington, the No. 1 seed in the South, ended the Cinderella run yesterday at Campanelli Stadium.
Abington rallied for an 8-6 win in the state semifinals.
Freshman sensation Ryan Browner (5 innings, 8 hits, 6 earned runs, 1 walk, 4 strikeouts) took the loss.
Sophomore Zach Littman started for the Green Wave and lasted only 12âÑ3 innings, despite not letting up an earned run. Littman allowed two hits and four walks while striking out two. The Royals scored six unearned runs in the second, chasing him from the game. Georgetown (18-8) capitalized on an error and two wild pitches in the second.
Royals coach Mark Rowe said he knew the game wasn't over.
"They're a great team," he said. "We scored a lot of runs early which was great, but I did my research before the game and I knew we shouldn't get comfortable. You have to tip your hat to them. They're a very good offensive team. We didn't play our best."
Benefitting from two errors, Abington loaded the bases in the bottom of the second. But Browner fanned the side, giving up just one run.
"I don't think Ryan had his best stuff, but part of that is how good the Abington offense is," Rowe said. "He's been remarkable all year and he pitched his guts out today."
Browner battled through four innings, scattering three runs. But in the fifth Abington scored five times to take an 8-6 lead.
After a leadoff single from shortstop Steve Perakslis and an infield error, the wheels came off. Freshman Cajey Suarez tied the score at 6-6 with a sacrifice fly and the Green Wave took the lead on a throwing error.
"We were a little flat in the field today," Rowe said.
While the loss was disappointing, this is believed to be the deepest tourney run in school history.
"It's been special for me and the team," junior Marco Luisi said. "And I know it's been even more special for the parents."
"This is incredible (for the players)," Rowe said. "The first time you walk into a stadium like this you're kind of in awe. This gives our guys the chance to face real game pressure. That's why I brought some of the (junior varsity) players along with us, just to be able to experience it."
The game, and the season, are an experience the Royals and their fans won't soon forget
Abington 8, Georgetown 6
Eastern Mass. Division 3 North Final
Georgetown (6): Conte 2-1-0, Ruh 2-1-0, Esposito 4-0-2, Sinkewicz 3-0-0, Luisi 4-1-1, Fabian 3-1-0, Johnson 3-0-0, Slattery 2-1-0, Ingram 3-0-2, Totals 26-6-5.
Abington (8): Campbell 3-0-1, Littman 4-0-0, Perakslis 4-1-1, Dion 4-1-1, Hitchcock 4-2-2, Marini 4-1-1, Crosta 2-1-0, Suarez 2-1-1, LaPointe 2-1-1, Totals 29-8-8.
Georgetown (18-8): 060 000 0 — 6
Abington (23-2): 011 150 x — 8
RBIs: G — Conte, Esposito 2; A — LaPointe 2, Hitchcock, Marini, Crosta, Suarez, Campbell
WP: Hitchcock; LP: Browner; S: Perakslis
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