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Montgomery Red Raider Baseball Season is one to remember

By Staff | Jun 19, 2012

Runner Up Montgomery Red Raiders team

Coach Tom Persing, his coaching staff, and members of the Montgomery Red Raider Baseball team started their season in March. Late in May, the Red Raiders defeated Sullivan County HS, 5-4 in the District 4 semi-final at Bowman Field. Next came a 4-0 win over Canton Area HS for the District 4 Championship, again played at Bowman Field. At Bloomsburg University, Montgomery edged out Pius X 2-1 in the first round of the state play-offs. Three days later in Pine Grove, the Red Raiders conquered Camp Hill HS in the Quarterfinal 10-0 (5 innings). On June 11, in the Class A Eastern Semi-final hosted by Bucknell University, Montgomery carried the day over Lancaster County Christian School 5-0. This set the stage for Montgomery to play the Class A Western Champs, Bishop McCort, at Medlar Field, Lubrano Park, Penn State University on Friday, June 15.

For most residents of Montgomery, a small town nestled on the West Branch of the Susquehanna River, June 15 was not an ordinary day. Even residents not following high school baseball knew about the game, courtesy of Montgomery Area High School Superintendent Daphne Ross’ telephone voice message to the community, offering the opportunity to ride a pep bus leaving from the Montgomery Community Athletic Center.

On the road to the game, traffic was backed-up for miles due to road construction. Arriving nearly an hour later than planned, and after securing tickets, the ticket taker at the gate asked ” Did you remember to turn off the lights in town before you left? I think you must be the last ones out.” That comment says a lot about the great turnout of fans and Montgomery community spirit. Red was the color of the day for enthusiastic fans who sported red-face paint, red tee shirts, and red ball caps. Montgomery fans exhibited strong support for their team throughout the game by constant cheering and rally cries.

The game got off to a rough start for Montgomery when they gave up eight unearned runs in the first inning largely due to a series of defense errors. As a result of the long first inning, Garrett Shnyder’s pitch count was up in the high 30’s with most of the pitches being strikes. Montgomery was able to score two runs in the bottom of the first inning, but McCort pitcher Jesse Cooper and the McCort players continued to hold Montgomery in check both at the mound and at the bats. Shnyder lasted through the first four innings. Alex Worthington took over the pitching duties in the top of the fifth inning. Bishop McCort had a strong top of the fifth inning, scoring five more runs which made the score 14-2.

Montgomery needed three runs in the bottom of the fifth to stay in the game. They were unable to manufacture the runs and after the Raiders final out, McCort team members threw their hats and gloves into the air in victory. As the cheering started, Montgomery fans stood up, not only to show respect to the new state champions for a well-played game, but also to honor and demonstrate their pride and admiration for the Montgomery players and coaches for a memorable and historic season. The teams efforts and accomplishments, with an overall record (21-3-0), and league record (12-2-0) will inspire young baseball players to their dreams of wanting to be just like the players they watched all season, to be Montgomery Red Raiders. Following the game, all the players and coaches received medals. Coach Persing was also presented PIAA state runner up trophy.

[PUT THE FOLLOWING IN A BORDER BOX ON P. 8]

The 2012 Montgomery Red Raider Baseball team roster

Coaches

Tom Persing- Head Coach

Whitlow Wertz- Asst. Coach

Tom Russell- Asst. Coach

Sean Ross- Asst. Coach

Justin Shaner- Asst. Coach

Players

Garrett Shnyder # 11

Kyle Russell # 12

John Goetz # 25

Alex Worthington # 13

Tony Gordon # 9

Cody Klees # 14

Luke Forrestal # 28

Cam McHenry # 18

Corey Kriner # 24

Jacob Miller # 2

Levi Lowe # 16

Mike Alexander # 1

Matt Miller # 7

Keanu Sauers # 4

Thomas Goetz # 10

Zach Shadle # 3

Ray Farr # 20

Bat Boys

Daniel Jamison

Jacob Umstead

Marcus Bartlett

Bailey Wilk