Written by Glenn Walker

Washington, PA– The boys from the Beach brought their bats and left the nerves at home on Tuesday, putting on their finest offensive display so far in the postseason, as they defeated Hagerstown, Maryland 10-4.  The key to tonight’s win?  “The whole team hit the ball and we got clutch pitching,” said Soloman Williams, who contributed with a hit, a walk, and an RBI.

It started with a two-run first inning that gave Long Beach all the momentum they would need for the rest of the game. Third baseman Daniel Dewolf hit a double to left after a well-placed bunt single from Brett Harper started the inning. Shortstop Thomas Walker brought a run home on a groundout and Dewolf scored on a passed ball.  The second inning was more of the same as Harper hit a home run over left field.

“It’s always good to get ahead early. Once we start rolling, you can’t stop us,” said Harper of the home run and the early 3-0 lead. Harper would finish the game 3-5 with the home run, two RBIs, and two stolen bases.

The only inning Long Beach failed to score in was the third. A big fourth inning cemented the win as Long Beach got run-scoring singles from their three and four hitters Chase DeJong and Walker.  “[The key is] good starting pitching…and hitters getting the job done with runners on,” said Walker who finished with two RBI.

Pitching should be no problem for the Beach All-Stars as they continued to shine tonight behind 4 1/3 solid innings from Ty Provencher and stellar relief efforts from Oliver Van Buskirk and Cody Elder.

No matter who they face in the next round (on Thursday evening), it’ll be a familiar face.  Long Beach’s next opponent will be the winner of the Loser’s Bracket Final between Tamiami, FL and Hagerstown, MD, both teams Long Beach has defeated.  Check LBPostSports.com for an update on who they’ll be facing early on Thursday, and later that evening for a writeup.