Cape/Georgetown Juniors fall short at regionals

It was a heartbreaking end to the Cape/Georgetown Junior All-Stars’ run in the Junior League Eastern Regional in Freehold, N.J., as the Pennsylvania squad overcame a 2-1 deficit in the final inning for a walk-off 3-2 win.

The Delaware team was two wins shy of the Junior League World Series. They had to defeat previously unbeaten Pennsylvania twice Aug. 8 to win the region and move on to Michigan.

“The boys really fought to get to where we were,” said Cape/Georgetown manager Zac Crouch. “We had to play eight games and Pennsylvania only played four. I’m really proud of the team and their effort, and my heart goes out to all of the boys. We just came up a little short.”

The team from Johnsonburg/Kane/Ridgway got on the scoreboard first, scoring one run in the bottom of the fifth inning. 

Cape/Georgetown immediately responded in the top of the sixth when Jonathan Stokley connected for a two-run single to left field to score Timmy Hitchcock and Kye Wells. 

Mikey Jarrell got the start on the mound and stepped up, tossing six innings and allowing just one run on five hits and two walks. He struck out four batters. 

Josh Reinhold took the mound in the seventh inning, and Pennsylvania wasn’t ready to play another game. The first batter reached on an error. 

After a walk, the next batter laid down a bunt. He beat it out at first, but first baseman Paris Mitchell fired a ball to the plate to catch a runner trying to sneak home. 

Another single loaded the bases, and Reinhold walked home the tying run.

With one out and the bases loaded, Pennsylvania’s Harley Morris bunted. Reinhold fielded the ball and tried to get the runner at the plate, but the throw was not in time, and Pennsylvania claimed the comeback, walk-off win. 

The loss ended a great run by the Cape/Georgetown Junior All-Stars. After losing the second game of the tournament, the Delaware team ran off five straight wins to earn a spot in the championship round. Cape/Georgetown played eight games in seven days.

Crouch reflected on the long tournament and the support of the hometown.

“Every night we had another game and every night we had to think about the pitchers for the next game, but the boys never quit,” he said. “I was really pleased to see the community support we had. A lot of people came up for the championship game. It was nice to have them there. The community believed in this team, and we appreciate it.”

Dan Cook contributed to this story.