In his mind, Pennridge Legion Post 255 manager Bob Benamati never had a doubt. However, the actions that happened in front of him certainly lowered his sense of self assuredness.
Benamati watched his second-seeded team lose a 5-2 lead after five innings to third-seeded Quakertown and then respond with a dramatic, walk-off, three-run homer from Robbie Pliszka in the eighth inning that gave them an 8-5 victory in the Bux-Mont Legion final Monday night at Quakertown Memorial Park.
In the process, Pennridge won its first Bux-Mont title since 2011.
Pliszka doubled his pleasure for the night, as he belted a three-run shot in the bottom of the second that gave Pennridge a 3-2 lead.
In fact, Pennridge’s victory was its eighth in its last nine contests, and it had a seven-game winning streak in the process. At one point, Pennridge (12-6) was 3-3 and seeking to find its identity.
But Pennridge’s ability to hit the ball didn’t waver. It entered the championship game with a .317 team average.
“All season long, we had high expectations,” said Benamati, who is in his first year at the helm. “I knew they could win the whole thing.
“We had our share of comebacks during the year, and we had a couple of tough losses. But we have a good chemistry, and these guys never backed down.”
Pliszka, a recent Pennridge grad who is headed to Juniata, has remained optimistic about his team’s chances all season. He went 3-for-5 with six RBIs. Teammate Garrett Navitsky was 3-for-4 with an RBI, and Reese Wolfgang went 2-for-4, as Pennridge pounded out 13 hits.
“I knew it was a big situation,” said Pliszka. “Honestly, I was just trying to put the bat on the ball and make contact.“
“All season long, good things have happened to us. I hit this ball really well, and did what I needed to do. It was a great way to end the game, and we’re having a pretty good run right now.”
Quakertown (12-11-1) suffered a first-round loss to Doylestown, but it worked its way through the loser’s bracket, avenging a loss to Doylestown and knocking off top-seed Nor-Gwyn.
Aiden Fretz started the game for Pennridge, and he went 6.1 innings allowing 10 hits, five runs, and recorded four strikeouts. Patrick Mill picked up the victory for Pennridge, going 1.2 innings, issuing one hit with a strikeout and a walk.
Benamati gave Fretz and fellow starter Ryan DeHaven some rest down the stretch in anticipation of the postseason.
“They battled through some things,” he said of his duo. “But it looks like it helped to give them a break. We wanted them to be fresh for the postseason.”
Pennridge will meet defending state champ Norchester from Berks County, while host Quakertown will meet Lehigh Valley Legion champ North Parkland in the opening game of the state Region 2 tournament Friday.
Pliszka is confident his team can continue to ride its wave. Pennridge didn’t qualify for the Bux-Mont tournament last season due to having too many forfeits.
“This was a big win, and we proved again to ourselves what we can do,” said Pliszka. “We’re looking forward to the state tournament.”
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