Is Harbor Creek the high school baseball team to beat in District 10 Region 4?
Is Harbor Creek the team to beat in Region 4?
The Huskies certainly played like it Monday against previously undefeated Mercyhurst Prep.
Harbor Creek’s six-run third inning keyed an 11-1 victory over the Lakers in five innings. Heath Betza pitched four quality frames, Tyler Burick drove in three runs and the Huskies capitalized on six Mercyhurst errors in their local debut.
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“We know how good Mercyhurst is and to come in here to their home and do what we did, we’re really happy,” Betza said postgame.
Home cooking
Harbor Creek (3-2) split four games during its trip to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Monday marked the Huskies’ first contest against a District 10 opponent, also its Region 4 opener.
Betza struck out five Lakers while scattering three hits and three walks across four innings, using his fastball as his guide. The junior also kickstarted Harbor Creek’s three-run second inning with a sacrifice bunt that was thrown into the outfield.
“Seeing some really good pitching (in Myrtle Beach) helps us a lot and I think we’re coming in here with a lot of confidence,” said Burick, a senior shortstop. “As long as we keep everything rolling, we should be good.”
Jacob Rzodkiewiez recorded two hits and two RBIs for the Huskies, while Preston Lanagan and Tobias Vahey each added an RBI. Gio Barbato turned in a single and two walks.
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Top dogs?
Harbor Creek and Mercyhurst finished second and third, respectively, behind Fairview in Region 4 last year. Mercyhurst (6-1) was riding high after its 6-0 victory at Fairview five days earlier, but after Monday’s result, advantage shifted to the Huskies.
At least temporarily.
“I think we rely on our pitching a lot. We have five guys who can go all seven innings and we live off of that,” Betza said. "It’s a strong team in general. Everyone relies on each other and it’s a great bond.”
Contact Jeff Uveino at juveino@gannett.com. Follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @realjuveino.
This article originally appeared on Erie Times-News: Harbor Creek baseball tops Mercyhurst Prep in District 10 region opener
