Towamencin – A team can’t win forever. No matter how long the win streak is, there will always be a day where things just are not going right and the game ends in defeat. This held true on Friday evening as North Penn saw their hot streak come to an end at the hands of CB South in a 2-0 loss. The bats never got going for the Knights, tallying only 2 hits over the course of the game. 

“Today we just didn’t hit,” North Penn Coach Kevin Manero said. “We had a million men on base, but we just didn’t get that big hit that we needed today.”

Senior Noah Collier was the starter for CB South. He got through 6 innings allowing no runs and only 2 hits. Even though he did see baserunners, Collier adjusted and got out of every jam.

“I had to make adjustments,” Collier said. “I changed it up a bit because it was a high mound. So I had to change my release point and arm angle a bit. That’s what helped me a lot.” 

Senior Christian Stevens started the game off for North Penn on the mound getting through the 1st inning with no real trouble. After a lead off hit by senior RJ Agriss, the Knights loaded the bases in the bottom of the inning, but left all 3 stranded. 

In the 3rd, a double by junior Matt Boyce and single by sophomore Hunter Petrich put the first run on the board for the Titans. Collier came back in the bottom half and got out the inning with 2 runners left in scoring position. 

The next inning CB South tacked on another insurance run. Senior Dakota Beck advanced to third on a two bag error in the outfield. After a walk, senior Gavin Mikulski made a great pickoff move that got the runner on first in a rundown. Beck took advantage and took off for home and scored the second run. 

“That was big,” Collier said. “It wasn’t a lot but getting any form of run support is really big for me on the mound. Just allows me to get more comfortable.” 

Collier did settle in a bit more and sat down hitters in order the next half inning. In the top of the 5th, senior outfielder Jeff Sabater tracked down and made a great diving catch on a ball that was in the gap and saved a run. With that play, the Knights got out the inning without seeing their deficit grow. Collier was still dealing on the mound in the 6th inning though. After hitting a batter, Collier retired the next three batters to get through 6 complete scoreless innings. 

“It just seemed like tired at bats for us,” Manero said. “We’ve played a lot of baseball recently, and we may have just had our fatigue set in. That’s where other things need to come in though, like good at bats and laying down bunts.”

After a walk, junior Joseph Rooney came on in relief of Collier. Rooney shut it down and retired the next three batters to close out the win for the Titans. 

“We know there is no easy opponent,” Manero said. “Every team is gunning for playoffs and no team is going to layover unless you win games.” 

The Knights look to hop back on the right track this Monday when they host Pennsbury at 3:45.