Weekend sports roundup

Here’s a sure sign that summertime is winding down – Linglestown Colts youth football players hit the gridiron for their first practice with pads and helmets today at 6 pm. The varsity season kicks off Sunday, Aug. 24, at Koons Park against Mechanicsburg.
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* On the diamond, Lingletown Twilight finished on top of the heap in regular season play in the East Shore Twilight League with a record of 18-8-2, earning a first-round playoff bye. The team will begin its bid for a second straight league crown this Wednesday, Aug. 6, at Koons Park. First pitch most likely will be at 6 pm.

* In midget baseball, Linglestown all-stars team finished with a respectable 4-2 record (fourth place) in the Haps Boyer Central Penn Midget Baseball Tournament. The tournament concluded Saturday evening at Koons Park with Lower Dauphin White winning the championship by defeating a Lebanon County team.

* Paxton made a nice run in the Pennsylvania American Legion Region IV Baseball Tournament at Middletown. After losing to Enola in the first game of the double-elimination tournament, Paxton ripped off three wins before falling 13-6 last Thursday to eventual tournament winner Lititz.

* Linglestown Legion outfielder Tom Healy chipped in an RBI fielder's choice to help his team to a 12-10 win in the American Legion East-West showcase Sunday at Commerce Bank Park on City Island.

Linglestown baseball roundup

Linglestown Gazette's exclusive coverage of local amateur baseball continues with news about a Legion player who qualified for a prestigious all-star game, updates on Pony all-star tournament action and a look at upcoming Twilight games at Koons Park.

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Linglestown Legion loses playoff slugfest

Third-seeded Hershey, in dramatic fashion, needed three runs in the bottom of the seventh to bounce six-seed Linglestown 14-13 at Memorial Field in the first round of the double-elimination Dauphin Legion Playoffs. For an in-depth game summary, check out the article in today’s Patriot-News. (Hershey-Linglestown game coverage starts at the bottom of page 1.)

Legion ends regular season with big win

Second baseman Josh Hannold (3-for-4) and left fielder Sam Nott (two RBIs) lifted Linglestown Legion over second-place Middletown 7-4 Monday evening at Koons Park.

Linglestown cashed four runs in the third inning, erasing a 3-0 deficit. The game was tied at four when Linglestown plated three runs in the fifth inning with the help of two untimely Middletown errors.

Mike Albert got the win with a stellar three-inning relief appearance in which he consistently kept Middletown batters off balance with change-of-speed pitches.

Linglestown finished the regular season in sixth place (10-8), and started the playoffs tonight with a game against Hershey in Chocolate Town.

The Patriot-News previewed the playoffs in today’s edition.

Legion note ... Linglestown outfielders Tom Healy and Sam Nott are scheduled to pay at the All East combine at City Island tomorrow, Wednesday, July 16, at 11 am. If Nott and Healy make it through that game, they will qualify for the prestigious East-West showcase in early August.

Dauphin nips Linglestown Legion

Dauphin escaped Linglestown 2-1 Tuesday at Koons Park after game-winner Billy Felo plated Joe Sariano with a sixth-inning single. Felo, who pitched a complete game, scattered four hits and fanned five, the last with Linglestown runners on first and third in the seventh. Linglestown’s Matt Smedick pitched a good game despite picking up the loss, said assistant coach Fran Roman.

The team has a solid lineup, but key hits have been hard to come by of late, said Linglestown head coach Barry Shipley.

Lingletown (8-7 record) has lost four of their last five games. Fortunately the team is headed to postseason play since it is comfortably positioned in sixth place, the final spot for getting into the Dauphin County Legion playoffs.

Upcoming games … Linglestown closes out the regular season by playing two games this Saturday, July 12 – away game at Susquehanna. 11 am, and at Koons Park against Upper Dauphin, 6 pm.
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Source Link

Linglestown baseball updates

Legion drops road game … Middletown (11-4 record) nipped Lingletown Legion 4-2 Monday to move into a first-place tie with idle Hershey and Upper Dauphin in the Dauphin County Legion league. Pat Mulligan’s three-run homer in the fourth inning and hurler Mike Lupia holding Linglestown to just three hits fueled the victory. Linglestown (8-6 record) only managed single runs in the first, on a passed ball, and sixth on Matt Smedick's sacrifice fly.

Legion hosts Dauphin tonight at Koons Park, first pitch at 6 pm

Twilight ties Palmyra … Palmyra and Linglestown Twilight battled to a 4-4 tie in a game that was called in the top of the sixth inning when a thunderstorm rolled through Lebanon County. Brian Zellers and Nick Barbera were both two-for-three for Linglestown, which also got 10 strikeouts from starter Pete Hayden.

Twilight (13-5-2 record, first place) makes another trip to Palmyra tomorrow, Wednesday, July 9, first pitch at 6 pm.
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Source Link

Long balls sink Linglestown Legion

Hershey sent three balls over the Koons Park outfield fence in their 7-5 victory Sunday over Linglestown.

Hershey’s Derik Wilson hit a two-run homer in the first inning and Ryan Johnson slammed a solo shot in the second to help their team sprint out to a 4-0 after three at bats.

Linglestown stormed back to take a one-run lead in the bottom of the third. Designated hitter Chris Bailor got things started with a solo roundtripper to right field. Doubles by all-star outfielders Tom Healy and Sam Nott plated three more runners to tie the score. Pitcher Kyle Weldon knocked in the fifth run of the inning on a single.

In the seventh inning, Hershey sent the game into extra innings by scoring the tying run on an infield hit, a sacrifice bunt and a single.

Hershey pitcher Joe Gunkel hit what turned out to be the game-winning hit in the first extra inning with a two-run homer that cleared the right field fence by a few inches. He then nailed down the win by retiring Linglestown in order.

With the loss, Linglestown’s record dropped to 8-5, 16 points. Hershey and Upper Dauphin sit atop the Dauphin County Legion league with 22 points.

Other action ... Paxton outslugged Susquehanna 23-16 Sunday in a game that featured 31 hits, 22 walks and nine pitchers. Paxton’s Nick Barbera doubled twice and scored four runs. (Source Link)

Legion pair advance in all-star competition

Linglestown Legion outfielders Sam Nott and Tom Healy were among the survivors Thursday at the American Legion all-star workout held at Owen J. Roberts High School in Chester County. Paxton second baseman Nick Barbera, who is on Linglestown Twilight's roster, also made the cut.

Their fine play gives them an opportunity to play at the All East combine at City Island on Wednesday, July 16. If Nott, Healy and Barbera make it through that game, they will qualify for the prestigious East-West showcase in early August.

Legion note ... Linglestown will host Hershey at Koons Park tomorrow, Sunday, July 6, first pitch at 5 pm.

BBcast: Linglestown holiday weekend preview

LTV host Bill Bostic highlights holiday weekend happenings and makes a call for reader submissions to keep things fresh and interesting while he's on vacation later this month.



BBcast links: Contact Murphy's Automotive at 545-4455; BB AnswerLine 07.02.08; e-mail Linglestown or LP Twp. tidbits and photos

Linglestown Legion records blowout win

CLICK HERE for coverage by Patriot-News reporter Eric Epler of Linglestown Legion baseball team's 10-1 win Wednesday over Steelton.

Legion comeback falls short against rival Paxton

The depleted Paxton team that took the field at Koons Park Monday night was good enough to beat a late-charging Linglestown Legion group 8-6 in Dauphin County Legion baseball. CLICK HERE for a report by Patriot-News writer Josh Langenbacher who attended the game.

With the loss, Linglestown’s record dropped to 7-4, tied for second place with Middletown and Paxton. Hershey and Upper Dauphin are tied for first place through Monday’s games.

Legion notes … Paxton's home field is at CD East High School. ... Pictured is Linglestown Legion second baseman Josh Hannold smacking a double against Paxton. … With Paxton leading 7-0, Linglestown shortstop Andrew Roman muscled a ball over the left-center fence for a grand slam that instantly got his team back into the game. … Zach Seaman pitched well in an extended relief appearance for starter Matt Smedick. … Linglestown’s next home game at Koons Park is this Sunday, July 6, against first-place Hershey, first pitch at 5 pm.

Legion vaults into 1st with blowout win

Linglestown Legion’s Zach Seaman and Andrew Roman shared six hits and seven RBIs Thursday in a lopsided 19-2 victory over Steelton at Koons Park. Tom Healy chipped in a three-run homer, while Sam Nott and Tyler Thompson each slammed three of Legion’s 19 hits.

Both teams plated a runner in the first inning, and then Legion took control of the game in the second inning for good by batting around and scoring six runs on four hits, two walks and an error. The game was ended after six innings dut to the 15-run mercy rule. (Source Link)

Legion notes … Lingletown’s leadoff batter Josh Hannold earned a walk to start the game, the third straight game that he has gotten a free pass in the team’s first-inning at bat. In 10 games played to date, Hannold has an outstanding six walks and two hits in his first at bat. … Winning pitcher Zach Seaman got bullpen help from Adam Chernicoff who pitched three scoreless innings. … Heading into this weekend’s Dauphin County League action, Legion (7-2, 14 points) was tied for first place with Hershey (7-1, 14 points). … The team’s next home game at Koons Park is Monday, June 30, first pitch at 6 pm against Paxton.
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– Game notes submitted by Fran Roman

Twilight, Legion baseball update for 06.26.08

Legion game summary updated Saturday, June, 28 ...

Extra-inning homer sinks Twilight

Jason Antes rocketed a liner over the left field fence at cozy Koons Park in the eighth inning that lifted Lykens/Wiconisco over Linglestown Twilight 3-2 Wednesday.

Linglestown briefly took a 2-0 lead in the third inning off two walks and two hits, but their bats were very quiet the rest of the way.

Twilight notes … Josh Muscalus pitched a solid game despite getting tagged for the loss. He allowed seven hits, struck out six, walked two and hit a batter. … At the plate, Sean Frailey and Bryan Stovall each had one RBI. … Twilight remains in first place in the East Shore Twilight league with a 10-4-1 record, 21 points (two points for a win; one point for a tie). Second-place Valley View has 20 points. … Next home game at Koons Park is this Sunday, June 29, 5 pm start against Palmyra.

Legion betters Lawnton by seven

Linglestown Legion won for the sixth time in eight tries, parlaying Andrew Roman’s two-run homer and three Zach Seaman hits into a 12-5 triumph Wednesday over Lawnton.

Lawnton could only muster five hits against starter Kyle Weldon and reliever Matt Smedick. Weldon also helped himself by driving in two runs on sacrifice flies. Source Link

Legion notes … Josh Hannold recorded two RBIs on a triple as part of Linglestown’s five-run third inning. … Chris Bailor has his first Legion at bat, a ground out to first base. … Smedick, who relieved starter Weldon in the sixth inning, faced only four batters in the seventh and final inning, striking out two. … Legion will host Paxton at Koons Park on Monday, June 30, first pitch at 6 pm.

– Game notes submitted by Fran Roman

Linglestown Legion, Twilight updates

Legion competitive in 7-3 loss to Hershey

By Fran Roman
For Linglestown Gazette

Linglestown Legion traveled for a game under the lights Sunday at Hershey and jumped out to a 3-1 lead through 3 ½ innings. Hershey took control of the game by scoring four unearned runs in the fourth inning and added two more in the fifth. Legion tried to rally in the top of the seventh, but two runners were left on base.

Andrew Roman led Linglestown with two hits and two RBIs. In the field, left fielder Sam Nott gunned down a runner at the plate in the first inning.

Upcoming games ... Linglestown Legion (5-2 record, tied for second in Dauphin County Legion league) returns to action Wednesday, June 25, with an away game at Lawnton, and then will host Steelton on Thursday, June 26, at Koons Park.
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Twilight ties Penbrook at six apiece

By Steve Econ
For Linglestown Gazette

After getting down 2-0, Linglestown Twilight tied the game in the third inning on back-to-back monster home runs by Brian Zellers and Sean Frailey. The team added another run that inning to go up 3-2. In the fifth inning, Twilight tacked on three more runs on four hits.

The lead, however, was lost in the bottom of the fifth inning. Penbrook scored four runs on three hits and a Linglestown error to knot the game at 6-6. The game was called due to darkness at the end of the eighth inning.

Jim Miller went five innings on the mound for Linglestown, giving way to Brad Sanders who pitched three scoreless innings. Bryan Stovall had a good night at the plate with three hits and two RBIs.

Next home game ... Linglestown Twilight (10-3-1, first place) will host Lykens tomorrow night, Wednesday, June 25 at Koons Park. First pitch is scheduled to fly at 6 pm.

Linglestown diamond updates

Linglestown Gazette's exclusive coverage of the local amateur baseball continues with updates on a pair of teams that had winning streaks snapped, a preview of midget playoffs and an update on teener action.

Keep reading >>

Linglestown Legion tops Paxton in grudge match

Linglestown Legion baseball team traveled across Route 22 and picked up its fourth win in five games Saturday by a count of 6-4 against archrival Paxton – many players know each other and play either at CD or Bishop McDevitt high schools.

Keep reading >>

Legion swats its way to 3rd straight win

The Linglestown Legion baseball team traveled to Dauphin on Monday, June 9, for a game on one of the hottest days of the year – game-time temperature was hovering around 95. Coach Max Smith’s batting practice routine must have had magical qualities as the team smacked 11 hits in a convincing 16-2 win, scoring at least one run in every at bat during the regulation seven-inning game.

Andrew Roman and Tom Healy had big days at the plate. Roman powered his way to a five-RBI game with a three-run homer in the second inning and a sixth-inning triple that plated two teammates. Healy rang up four RBIs off a double, a sacrifice fly and a seventh-inning solo roundtripper that coach Fran Roman described as a “no doubter.”

On the mound, Linglestown starting pitcher Kyle Weldon had a good outing, allowing only two hits over three innings. Matt Smedick relieved Weldon and pitched three innings of shutout ball, scattering three hits and striking out two. Eric Steim pitched the final inning, retiring the side in order after giving up a leadoff double.

The team is in second place in the Dauphin County Legion league with a 3-1 record, good for 6 points (2 points awarded for each win; 1 point for a tie). Hershey, Middletown and Hummelstown are tied for first place with 8 points apiece.

Next game ... Linglestown Legion plays today at Paxton. First pitch is at 5 pm.
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– Game notes submitted by Fran Roman

Linglestown Legion racks up two big wins

Linglestown Legion baseball team won a pair of home games last Thursday and Friday. CLICK HERE for game summaries that were submitted by Fran Roman, one of the team's assistant coaches.

Linglestown Legion season under way

The Linglestown Legion baseball team started the season in fine fashion in an away game against Hummelstown on Tuesday, May 27, by jumping out to a nine-run lead after two innings. Unfortunately rain snuffed out the hot start when the game was called in the 3rd inning.

Two nights later Lingletown did battle once again with Hummelstown, this time at Koons Park, when the regularly scheduled opponent, Upper Dauphin, couldn’t play due to still having players competing in the high school state playoffs.

Kyle Weldon took the mound for the home team and kept Hummelstown in check until the 3rd inning. With two outs, Hummelstown scored three runs on three hits and one error. Matt Smedick relieved Weldon in the 4th inning. A hit batsman and three walks started another big inning for Hummelstown as they scored four runs.

Linglestown’s bats were somewhat quiet, but the team never gave up. In the 7th inning with one out, four consecutive hits yielded two runs on RBIs by Zach Seaman and Tom Healy, making the final score 7-2. Brad Smith was two for two on the day.

Linglestown Legion will return to action Thursday, June 5, 6 pm at Koons Park against Lawnton.

– Game summary submitted by Fran Roman
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The team is sponsored by the Linglestown American Legion and is affiliated with Linglestown Baseball Association.