Big first inning propels Abington American over Abington National in Little League action

GLENBURN TWP. — Abington National took an early lead in a District 17 10-11 year-old All-Star baseball elimination game July 13 at Jim Hatton Field.

However, Abington American quickly snatched the momentum away and topped National, 17-7, in five innings.

National scored four runs in the top of the first inning.

Andrew Summa delivered an RBI triple and scored on a passed ball, Jake Rowlands drove in a run with an infield single and Roman Cutrufello walked and scored a run.

American bounced back in a big way, scoring 11 runs in the bottom of the inning.

Austin Boersma drove in three runs with a triple and scored on a wild pitch, and Luke Swank knocked in two more with a single. Madison Zalewski and Jake Lenahan had RBI singles, Brian Heard drove in a run with a bases loaded walk, Conner Griffin had a sacrifice fly and Adam Dempsey delivered an RBI double.

“They got down a little bit early and responded with a big bottom of the first inning,” Abington American manager Jeremy Anderson said. “The first nine hitters got on base and really set the tone for the rest of the game.

“It was a good team effort…everybody contributed.”

Gene Curtain led off the top of the second inning for National with a home run to right-center field. Mark Nazar singled to drive in Cutrufello, who had a triple.

American added two runs in the bottom of the inning when pinch hitter Joey Ramey blasted a two-run home run off the scoreboard behind the fence in right-center field.

Swank allowed just three hits over the final three innings and retired six of the final eight batters he faced.

“He settled down and (his teammates) supported him a little better than in the first inning,” Jeremy Anderson said.

Lincoln Anderson had an RBI double for American in the fourth.

Swank doubled and scored on throwing error as part of a three-run fifth inning that clinched the victory for American. Sam Specht contributed an RBI single and Lenahan singled and scored on an error.

Jeremy Anderson also praised the play of Abington National, which defeated American in the first round of the double elimination tournament.

“Both teams made it far and that’s a testament to the (Abington) Little League,” he said.

American defeat Connell Park in the first game of the championship finals July 15, but lost to Connell in the title game July 16.

Abington American’s Luke Swank delivers a pitch during his team’s 17-7 win over Abington National in a District 17 10-11 year-old All-Star baseball elimination game July 13.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_ABJ-All-Stars-1.jpg.optimal.jpgAbington American’s Luke Swank delivers a pitch during his team’s 17-7 win over Abington National in a District 17 10-11 year-old All-Star baseball elimination game July 13. Robert Tomkavage | Abington Journal

Abington National’s Mark Nazar winds up to throw a pitch during a District 17 10-11 year-old All-Star baseball elimination game July 13 in Glenburn Township. Abington American topped National, 17-7, in five innings.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_ABJ-All-Stars-2.jpg.optimal.jpgAbington National’s Mark Nazar winds up to throw a pitch during a District 17 10-11 year-old All-Star baseball elimination game July 13 in Glenburn Township. Abington American topped National, 17-7, in five innings. Robert Tomkavage | Abington Journal

Abington National’s Ryan Nealon takes a swing during a District 17 10-11 year-old All-Star baseball elimination game July 13.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_ABJ-All-Stars-3.jpg.optimal.jpgAbington National’s Ryan Nealon takes a swing during a District 17 10-11 year-old All-Star baseball elimination game July 13. Robert Tomkavage | Abington Journal

Abington American shortstop Lincoln Anderson had two hits and an RBI during his team’s 17-7 win over Abington National in a District 17 10-11 year-old All-Star game July 13.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_ABJ-All-Stars-4.jpg.optimal.jpgAbington American shortstop Lincoln Anderson had two hits and an RBI during his team’s 17-7 win over Abington National in a District 17 10-11 year-old All-Star game July 13. Robert Tomkavage | Abington Journal

Abington National center fielder Roman Cutrufello had a single and triple during a District 17 10-11 year-old All-Star baseball elimination game July 13.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_ABJ-All-Stars-5.jpg.optimal.jpgAbington National center fielder Roman Cutrufello had a single and triple during a District 17 10-11 year-old All-Star baseball elimination game July 13. Robert Tomkavage | Abington Journal

Abington American second baseman Madison Zalewski had two hits during her team’s 17-7 victory in a District 17 10-11 year-old All-Star baseball elimination game July 13.

http://www.theabingtonjournal.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/web1_ABJ-All-Stars-6.jpg.optimal.jpgAbington American second baseman Madison Zalewski had two hits during her team’s 17-7 victory in a District 17 10-11 year-old All-Star baseball elimination game July 13. Robert Tomkavage | Abington Journal