Wallenpaupack Area clung tenaciously to a share of the Division One lead, while Honesdale lost a heartbreaker to Scranton Prep in Lackawanna League baseball action Thursday afternoon.

The Buckhorns erupted for seven runs in the first three innings, but then had to hold on for dear life in an eventual 7-6 victory over the Warriors.

“Dave Peters has turned Delaware Valley into one of the best baseball programs in the state,” Coach Bob McGinnis told TWI Sports. “They might have a 5-5 record, but they’re a much better team than that. DV just kept coming and never gave up. I was just praying for that last out in the seventh inning.”

The Hornets dug themselves a big hole in the early going, but rallied to score three runs late before finally running out of gas in a disappointing 5-4 defeat at Prep. This was the fifth one-run loss of Honesdale’s season.

“I just don’t know what to say anymore,” said Coach Mike Modrovsky. “We’re as good as anybody out there, but we just can’t seem to come up with the big hit when we need it. Losing all these one-run games is just killing me. I feel bad for the kids because they’re working really hard.”

Both local squads will be back on the diamond in the coming days. Paupack hosts a rare weekend game Saturday afternoon on the shores of The Big Lake. Honesdale puts out the proverbial welcome mat for North Pocono on Monday.

Buckhorn Pride
Paupack is the defending Division One champion after posting a perfect 14-0 record last spring. This season, the Bucks are in a tooth & nail struggle with West Scranton to defend their crown.

On Thursday afternoon, it looked as though the local lads were on their way to a rout of visiting  DV. Paupack knocked Warrior starter Mike Pena out of the box early, plating seven runs in the first three frames.

Pat Camuso, Chris Ortiz and Joey DeFebo paced the Buckhorn attack.
Camuso was a pleasant surprise at the dish. Paupack’s #9 hitter bashed a pair of doubles, scored a run and drove in another. Ortiz continued his torrid hitting with a 2-for-4 day at the dish. Chris collected three RBIs in his first two at-bats. DeFebo ignited the offense by leading off the home first with a two-bagger.

Tim Silsby drew the starting assignment for Paupack and was eventually credited with the win. However, Silsby ran into trouble in the fourth and headed off to the showers. He was replaced by Cody McCuen, Ian Dassance and Nick DeFebo.

According to Coach McGinnis, Thursday’s game ball went to the last of that relief trio. DeFebo pitched his way out of a pair of bases-loaded jams in the sixth and seventh to preserve the win. Nick recorded six strikeouts in two innings.

“Nicky DeFebo saved the day,” he said. “The game was in his hands to win or lose and he gave us a gutsy performance. As far as I’m concerned, Nicky has the best curveball in the whole league...and he really turned it loose against DV.”

DeFebo struck out the heart of the Warrior batting order with the bases juiced in the seventh. The game ended when Nick fanned Mike Accardi on a nasty 2-2 curve. DV’s centerfielder had ripped basehits in his previous two at-bats.

Score by Innings...
DV    0  0  0  3  3  0  0 - 6
WA   3  3  1  0  0  0  x - 7

Another Heartbreaker
On a rainy Thursday at Connell Park in Scranton, Honesdale spotted Prep four early runs, then staged a furious rally only to come up just short. A pair of untimely errors led to two unearned runs and cost the Hornets dearly.

“I know I’ve said it before, but we just can’t keep giving extra outs and free runs to good teams like Prep,” said Coach Modrovsky. “I love that our kids always keep fighting and never give up; but, we make it awfully hard on ourselves sometimes.”

Trevor Taylor was Honesdale’s starter and absorbed the loss. The junkballing righty turned in a solid complete game performance, but was stung by the longball. Taylor surrendered homeruns to Adam Schroth and Andrew Jackowitz...which ultimately proved to be the difference in the game.

Offensively, the Hornets were led by Mead Sandercock. Honesdale’s senior third baseman went 2-for-3 with a double and run scored. Sean Curran also laced a two-bagger, while Matt Gravel, Joel Watson and Bob Kinsman chipped in with a single apiece.

Honesdale actually had the tying run on base with one out in the seventh. Watson opened the frame with a walk, then took second on a throwing error by Prep pitcher Stef Arcure.

Sadly for Red & Black diamond fans, Arcure bore down and fanned the next two batters he faced to end the game.

Score by Innings...
HON    0  1  0  0  2  0  1 - 4
PREP  2  2  0  1  0  0  x - 5