Justin Pacchioli goes 3-for-4 to lead Nazareth Area High School baseball team to 9-3 win over Easton

FROM THE EXPRESS TIMES

Justin Pacchioli's mind was strictly centered on helping his Nazareth Area High School baseball teammates win a game on Friday.

The transfer from Easton tormented his former team by going 3-for-4 with a triple, two runs scored and three RBIs to spark the Blue Eagles to a 9-3 Lehigh Valley Conference victory before a crowd of close to 1,000 at Nazareth Borough Park.

Mike Garzillo was 2-for-3 with three runs scored, two stolen bases and an RBI for the Blue Eagles (18-2, 12-2), who'll be the top seed for next week's Lehigh Valley Conference playoffs. Drew Hercik allowed five hits and struck out five in six innings to earn the win.

"We played one hell of a game today," Pacchioli said. "We came out and played hard, one-through-nine."

Pacchioli stayed locked in at the plate despite occasional heckling from the large contingent of Easton fans.

"You've just got to play the game," Pacchioli said. "You can't let that stuff bother you. You've just got to keep your head and concentrate on what's going on between the lines."

Primarily a catcher, Pacchioli started in left field and later was moved to third base. Junior backup Derek Charlie handled the catching chores.

"Derek's been sick and he hasn't had a chance to play much lately," Pacchioli said. "It was basically his day to catch. It was the coach's decision and it worked out today."

Karl Keglovits' two-run single capped a three-run first inning off Red Rovers starter Alex Lawson. Sophomore Nick Beinlich relieved Lawson after the Blue Eagles' built their lead to 7-2 in the third inning.

"Alex was pitching on (only) three days rest," Easton coach Carm LaDuca said. "We knew he wasn't going to go seven (innings). His velocity was down but he still gave us a great effort."

The Blue Eagles scored at least one run in every inning but the fifth.

"We scored 11 runs (Thursday against Northampton) and today we picked up where we left off," Nazareth coach Jon Lock said. "That's what we try to do, jump on teams early and make them play catch-up."

Garzillo tripled to right-center in the second inning and followed with a heads-up base-running play. Pacchioli hit a bouncer to third baseman Kevin Nemeth, who checked the runner before throwing Pacchioli out at first.

Garzillo immediately broke for the plate and narrowly beat first baseman Jonathan Bisci's throw home.

"I was just trying to do what I can to help our team win the ball game," Garzillo said. "The coaches always say 'if you feel it, take off.' It's instinct."

"(Garzilla) can fly," Lock said. "He's a great base-runner with great instincts."

Pacchioli had an RBI single in the first inning. He singled leading off the fourth.

Two balks by Beinlich advanced him to third and he scored on Keglovits' sacrifice fly.
Pacchioli, who earlier stole a base, capped his big day in the sixth inning with an RBI triple up the left-center field gap.

"I'm just seeing the ball well now," Pacchioli said. "Earlier in the season I had a little hitch in my swing. My dad and the coaches worked with me and helped me correct it."

Hercik settled down after a sluggish start. He fell behind 1-0 in the top of the first when Nemeth singled in Greg Butto, who led off with a single.

Easton scored an unearned run in the second to close the gap to 3-2. Hercik shut down the Red Rovers until the sixth when Conor Mulrine raced home on a passed ball.

"(Hercik) was able to compose himself and kept the ball around the plate," Lock said. "Once his splitter started working, he had them fishing a little bit. He kept them off-balance."

Designated hitter Zach Olah had two hits for Easton (10-9, 7-7), which will play in the District 11 Class AAAA playoffs in two weeks.

"The kids played hard to the end and all the coaches are very proud," LaDuca said. "Now, we've got two weeks of practice time to get ready. We can work on some deficiencies and hopefully we'll make some noise in districts."

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