It’s common knowledge that baseball is a game of numbers. However, in SCH’s 7-5 victory over Penn Charter, nobody knew how important a single digit would be.
2.
That number popped up like clockwork throughout the game for SCH—sometimes as a blessing, sometimes as a curse. Coming off a disappointing loss to open the Inter-Ac season, the Devils’ second Inter-Ac game was a shot at redemption.
Penn Charter struck first in the top of the second inning. With two outs already on the board, SCH tried to beat a runner home, but the throw sailed high, extending the inning and handing the Quakers their first run.
The game remained scoreless until the bottom of the third, where junior Quin Dion, second in the batting order, ripped one over the right-fielder’s head, allowing senior Paul Cifra to slide in at the plate for the Devils’ first run.
Right after, with 2 outs and a runner on second, junior Joey Markey, #22, rocketed a ball deep into right field, soaring over the fence, and scoring 2 more key runs for SCH to put them up 3-1.
But the number kept reappearing.
Penn Charter answered with their second run in the top of the fifth, capitalizing with two runners on. SCH managed to tag one runner at the plate to prevent more damage—but not for long. Moments later, a bloop into center field allowed two more Quakers to score, swinging the lead in their favor at 4–3
The Devils now had their backs against the wall.
Still trailing by one, SCH loaded the bases. Junior Charlie McFadden stepped up but injured his shoulder mid-at-bat, forcing junior Mason Zlotkin to take his place.
With a 2–2 count. Two outs.
Zlotkin stayed composed. He chopped a grounder to short, and the ball was mishandled—twice—first by the shortstop, then by the second baseman. The error allowed SCH to tie the game at 5–5.
As the game was sent into the 7th and final inning, SCH rode a wave of momentum to come up with multiple key stops, with their three best hitters up: Cifra, Dion, and junior Frankie Decembrino.
Cifra hit a quick double to start things off, followed by Dion faking a bunt motion to draw the Quakers in, before switching at the last second, launching the pitch over to right field to set himself up on first, and Cifra on third. Finally, the Quakers walked Decembrino, leaving SCH with bases loaded, no outs, and Joey Markey at the plate.
Number #22.
Markey had already homered once, but Penn Charter gambled, pitching to him anyway. It was a mistake—and their last one of the game.
On the very first pitch, Markey launched one deep into left field (his homerun was to left too), lodging itself for a ground-rule double–sending two runners home to seal the deal: Devils 7, Quakers 5.
Later, when speaking with Gametime Sports, Markey said he felt “no pressure” thanks to his teammates setting him up with three runners on base. “[I’m] just gonna go out, have fun, be aggressive.”
The win couldn’t have been more important, giving SCH the momentum they need to compete against a tough Inter-Ac schedule–and hopefully claim yet another Inter-Ac title.
“We’ve gotta keep this going, build on our offense from today,” said Markey, praising the rest of his team. “Gotta keep it rolling.” With one win behind them and a tough schedule ahead, SCH knows exactly what number they’re chasing next: two straight wins.