Johnny Giordano winds up for Plymouth Whitemarsh. (Kev Hunter/MediaNews Group)
HORSHAM — Every time Hatboro-Horsham’s offense struck, Plymouth Whitemarsh provided a lengthy response.
The Colonials put two big innings together and also scored in two other frames, earning an impressive 9-4 win over the Hatters in a matchup of Suburban One League Liberty Division powers.
“Those were huge,” Colin Brady said of the fourth- and seventh-inning bursts for PW Thursday. “It felt good to have a multiple-hit game. And it was nice to see everybody contribute – pitchers and hitters.”
The win raised PW’s division record to 12-2, with a big one on deck for Monday at home against Upper Dublin (13-1).
“Very important game,” Brady said. “We just gotta refocus – be happy about this one tonight, but go out Monday and play hard.”
The Hatters (7-6 in the Liberty), who got RBI hits from Jamie O’Neill, Kyle Dittus and Jaxson Bumpus, will be at Central Bucks South Friday.
Brady notched the first of his four RBI’s in the first to put PW up 1-0. After the Colonials built the lead to 2-0 in the second, Hatboro drew even in the third.
The Colonials answered right back in their next at-bat. Chase Olszyk knocked in a pair and Brady did the same with a double, pushing the Colonials to a 6-2 lead.
“We did a really nice job of bouncing back when we needed to,” said Colonials coach Chris Manero. “When they tied it at two, we said, hey, look, we’re playing a four-inning game now. And that’s when we scored four to take that lead. So I thought our approach to get it right back was important.”
The Colonials illustrated that ability again in the seventh.
After the Hatters got within 6-4, PW pushed three runs across, capped by Brady’s bases-loaded walk, his fourth RBI of the contest. Olszyk and Brady combined for five hits and each had four RBI’s for the Colonials.
Matt Krawitz led a strong PW bullpen and notched the victory on the mound.
“We’ve put ourselves in position to have a very big week next week,” Manero said. “I think our guys are feeling like they’re ready, they’re hungry. And I think they’re excited.”
Plymouth Whitemarsh 9, Hatboro-Horsham 4
PW 110 400 3 – 9 13 1
HH 011 002 0 – 4 6 1
WP: Matt Krawitz 22/3 IP, 2R, 2ER, 2H, 3K, 1BB).
LP: Stephen Plefka (4IP, 6R, 6ER, 7H, 0K, 7BB).
2B: PW-Colin Brady; HH-Jaxson Bumpus.
Multiple hits: PW-Chase Olszyk 2-for-4, SAC, R, 4RBI; Gavin Rocks 2-for-4, BB; Brady 3-for-4, BB, 4RBI; Nick DeLucca 2-for-2, 2 SAC, R; HH-Kyle Dittus 2-for-4, R, RBI.