Zack Parker steals home during Jaxson Francis’ at-bat after Unatego was distracted by a play at first base. Francis (#10) drove in his second run of the game with a fielder’s choice in Norwich’s fifth inning comeback. (Photo by Morgan Golliver)

ONEONTA – After a big win over Oneonta on Saturday, the Norwich ‘A’ team faced Unatego in the Otsenango PONY League championship game. The game was held at Damaschke Field, where Unatego regained the lead to win 9-7. There was some trouble in the fifth inning with lightning, delaying the game twice, allowing Unatego to strike back from being down 7-6.

Norwich got on the board early in the top of the first as Jaxson Francis had an RBI single to make it 1-0. Unatego picked things up and scored two runs in the second, third, and fourth innings and held a 6-2 lead.

Francis became another big factor in the fifth inning scoring two runs at-bat. Zack Parker, who had an RBI single, scored on a steal of home after Kaden Downey tried to take a big lead off first to attempt a steal, but second base was already occupied. He did advance to second on the play, causing Parker to score and Zac Turner, who was on second, to move to third.

Francis hit into a fielder’s choice, where the play was made at home, but Turner was safe at the plate as the game-tying run. Kaden Downey scored the go-ahead run on a passed ball to make it 7-6 Norwich.

In the bottom of the fifth inning, Unatego had two runners on with walks before the first lightning delay. After the game resumed, Norwich could not hold on defense, causing Unatego to tie the game and regain the lead for good with three runs in the inning. The Purple Tornado were shut out in both the sixth and seventh innings.

Carmine Pastore and Zack Parker took the mound for Norwich in a bit of a rough outing for both pitchers, but they strived to finish the season, even on the losing end of the battle.

Norwich earned a 2nd place trophy to cap off a great 2023 PONY League season. They finished first in the ‘A’ division while finishing second overall.

Good luck and congratulations to Zack Parker, Jaxson Francis, Zac Turner, and Carmine Pastore for making the All-star roster. They will be playing tonight in Cooperstown at 5 p.m. and will be coached by their very own Zach Alpern.

Box Score:

Runs by inning: R H E

NO:

1-0-0-1-5-0-0 7 5 4

UN:

0-2-2-2-3-0-X 9 5 0