Conemaugh Township knocks off defending champ Southern Fulton to earn District 5-1A title
Conemaugh Township took an early two-run lead against Southern Fulton in Thursday's District 5-1A baseball title game then rallied for a 5-4 victory, knocking off the defending champs at Everett Elementary School.
"Every district title is special," Conemaugh Township coach Sam Zambanini said of his 10th championship in his final season at the helm. "When you have a season where you end up winning a district title, it's special. It's special because of the group of guys we have. This is a group that loves the game, and they play it that way. They did everything they had to do to win this title. It's a testament to what they were willing to do as a team this season."
Top seed Conemaugh Township (20-4) struck for a pair of runs in the bottom of the first. D.J. Bambino singled and moved to second on a passed ball. Larry Weaver delivered an RBI single off Southern Fulton starter Paul Hendershot. Zack Petree doubled, and Colin Dinyar produced an RBI single.
"I think coming out of the gate like we did and jumping on their pitcher, that kind of stunned them a little bit," Zambanini said. "I don't think they are used to that."
Moving on Conemaugh Township rolls into District 5-1A title game with rout of Rockwood
Southern Fulton (19-5), the No. 2 seed, tallied three unearned runs off Weaver to take a 3-2 advantage after three.
"We squandered that lead and that's a credit to them," Zambanini said of Southern Fulton. "They are scrappy. They have been there before."
Back came Conemaugh Township. The squad regained the lead with a 3-spot in the bottom of the fourth.
Brennan Lohr singled and Kaden Valentine was plunked. Southern Fulton cut down the lead runner on a sacrifice bunt by Liam Richardson. Bambino hit into a fielder's choice, but with two outs, Weaver stroked an RBI double. Petree followed with a two-run single and a 5-3 advantage.
"We knew it was going to be a good game and we came in expecting it to be a good game," Zambanini said. "Our guys weren't going to pack their tents away after they jumped out in front of us by a run. That is a credit to our team and the type of senior leadership we have."
Champs, again Meyersdale comes up clutch late to top Berlin for 4th straight District 5-1A title
Dinyar pitched the final three innings, allowing an unearned run on one hit and three walks. He has not pitched much this season with lingering arm issues. However, he came up big in relief of Weaver, who allowed four hits and one walk.
"Coming in, I didn't know what we'd get out of him," Zambanini said of Dinyar. "He said before the game, 'I have a couple innings in me.' He threw the fifth and sixth and then I asked him after the sixth if I needed to get someone else ready. He said, 'Coach, I got this.' He wasn't kidding."
Conemaugh Township meets District 7 No. 2 seed Eden Christian Academy to open the PIAA playoffs on Monday.
Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Conemaugh Township wins District 5-1A thriller over Southern Fulton
