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SOUTH WHITEHALL TWP. — For most of the day, it seemed like the calmest people at the field were the kids.

Plenty of folks at Holy Redeemer — coaches, parents, fans — were still taking some deep breaths in the minutes after the Royals’ tense 4-3 win over Oley Valley in Thursday’s PIAA Class 3A quarterfinals.

The players? There was a celebration, naturally, after Tony Molitoris struck out the game’s final batter, leaving the tying run stranded at second and the winning run at first. But nothing over the top for a program headed to state semifinals for the first time.

OK, so maybe there was a little anxiety involved.

“A little nerve-wracking,” admitted Molitoris after he notched the save, recording the final five outs. He came on in the sixth with runners at the corners, holding the Lynx to one run.

In the seventh, Oley Valley drew a leadoff walk and a two-out single to bump up some heart rates.

“I just try to take my time, step off the mound, just relax,” Molitoris said. “Take a couple breaths. And then just go with it.”

Molitoris was eligible to come on to nail it down after getting through Monday’s state-opening win in just 60 pitches, needing only two days of rest before returning.

He and fellow standout Jordan Choman, who picked up the win, scattered nine hits to send the Royals to the state semifinals against District 4 power Loyalsock on Monday at a site and time to be determined.

The winner there will head to Penn State next Thursday to play for a state championship.

But first, a moment for the Royals to reflect on one of the toughest matchups of the season.

“What a well-played game. Tight game,” Redeemer coach Chris Ritsick said. “Two very good, evenly matched teams. We just happened to end up on top today.”

While the Royals pitching staff has taken the spotlight for most of the postseason, the bats and the defense were not to be overlooked in this one.

Choman gave himself a nice cushion before he even took the mound, lifting a two-run single in the top of the first to quickly break the ice. Cade Flanley scored from second after a pick-off throw in his direction ended up in the outfield, and it was 3-0 Royals.

Oley Valley, the District 3 runner-up, answered in the bottom of the fourth when Clark Williamson just missed a game-tying home run, hitting high up the fence in left for a two-run double.

Robb McClay got one back with what proved to be the winning hit in the fifth, driving in Flanley with an RBI single.

Beyond that, Redeemer got big plays from nearly everyone in the infield. Shortstop Tucker Ell leaped to make one catch that ended the fifth inning and snagged another one hit right at him to end the sixth with the bases loaded.

Earlier in the fifth, Mykolas Bozentka dove to snag a short infield pop-up, throwing over to first for a double play with Oley Valley in a hit and run.

“It’s been all year. All around the field,” Ritsick said. “The defense definitely saved us a couple runs and saved us the game. The pitchers depend on it. They pitch to contact. And they again were there for them and held it.”

Choman threw 88 pitches before exiting in the sixth.

“It was a hot day and he was getting up in the pitch count,” Ritsick said. “I just thought they needed to see a different arm. … (Molitoris) wanted the ball. He always does.”

“The first day after we won against Tamaqua,” Molitoris said, “I was telling him, ‘Whenever you need me, I’ll be ready.’ “

He was. And it was the first time the Royals needed to go to the bullpen in five postseason games.

Choman, McClay and Tom Borum all finished with two hits apiece as the Royals had 10 as a team. Sean Wills added a double.

NOTES

At the home plate meeting prior to the game, Holy Redeemer presented a token of sympathy to Oley Valley in memory of Lynx player Preston Rowe, who was recently killed in a car accident.

Redeemer’s Tim Cavanaugh gave a card to the Lynx before both sides shook hands.

PIAA Class 3A quarterfinals

Holy Redeemer 4, Oley Valley 3

Holy Redeemer`AB`R`H`BI

Ell ss`2`0`1`0

Cavanaugh 2b`3`1`1`0

Borum c`4`1`2`0

Flanley 3b`3`2`1`0

Choman p`4`0`2`2

Ambosie lf`0`0`0`0

Molitoris rf-p`3`0`0`0

McClay cf`4`0`2`1

Bozentka 1b`4`0`0`0

Wills lf-rf`3`0`1`0

Totals`30`4`10`3

Oley Valley`AB`R`H`BI

Vaccaro ss`4`0`2`0

Christman cf`3`0`0`0

Wentzel 3b`3`0`0`0

Zweizig p`3`0`1`0

Sullivan pr`0`1`0`0

Kubitz lf`0`0`0`0

Blanknbillr dh`4`1`2`0

Kauffman 1b`1`0`0`0

Loeper p`3`1`2`0

Pellock c`3`0`0`1

CWilliamsn rf`2`0`1`2

Troutman 2b`3`0`1`0

Totals`29`3`9`3

Holy Redeemer`300`010`0`—`4

Oley Valley`000`201`0`—`3

2B — Wills, CWilliamson

Redeemer`IP`H`R`ER`BB`SO

Choman (W)`5.1`7`3`3`1`3

Molitoris (S)`1.2`2`0`0`2`1

Oley Valley`IP`H`R`ER`BB`SO

Zweizig (L)`3.1`7`3`2`1`1

Loeper`3.2`3`1`1`2`0

Holy Redeemer’s Tony Molitoris hustles down the line against Oley Valley on Thursday. Molitoris came on to get the final five outs for the save.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Redeemer-OleyValleyBB_220176819473854-1.jpg.optimal.jpgHoly Redeemer’s Tony Molitoris hustles down the line against Oley Valley on Thursday. Molitoris came on to get the final five outs for the save. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Holy Redeemer starter Jordan Choman picks off an Oley Valley base runner on a throw to first baseman Mykolas Bozentka. Choman pitched into the sixth inning for the win on Thursday.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Redeemer-OleyValleyBB_320176819472678-1.jpg.optimal.jpgHoly Redeemer starter Jordan Choman picks off an Oley Valley base runner on a throw to first baseman Mykolas Bozentka. Choman pitched into the sixth inning for the win on Thursday. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Holy Redeemer’s Mykolas Bozentka advances to third base on a double Thursday’s win over Oley Valley.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Redeemer-OleyValleyBB_4201768194742583-1.jpg.optimal.jpgHoly Redeemer’s Mykolas Bozentka advances to third base on a double Thursday’s win over Oley Valley. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Holy Redeemer’s Sean Wills reacts after hitting a double against Oley Valley.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Redeemer-OleyValleyBB_5201768194756532-1.jpg.optimal.jpgHoly Redeemer’s Sean Wills reacts after hitting a double against Oley Valley. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader

Holy Redeemer’s Tucker Ell beats the tag of Oley Valley first baseman Reece Kaufmann on a pick-off throw during the PIAA Class 3A quarterfinals on Thursday at Parkland High School.
https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/web1_Redeemer-OleyValleyBB_1201768194641982-1.jpg.optimal.jpgHoly Redeemer’s Tucker Ell beats the tag of Oley Valley first baseman Reece Kaufmann on a pick-off throw during the PIAA Class 3A quarterfinals on Thursday at Parkland High School. Bill Tarutis | For Times Leader
Redeemer edges Oley Valley to continue postseason run

By Derek Levarse

[email protected]

Reach Derek Levarse at 570-991-6396 or on Twitter @TLdlevarse

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