Zwanch, Packers in command

By KEV HUNTER

Staff Writer

UPPER GWYNEDD — Nor-Gwyn's Mike Zwanch has maybe the longest commute of any Perky League player, traveling to games all the way from his hometown of Scranton.

But on Tuesday night, the two-hour excursion was well worth it.

Zwanch pitched a complete-game three-hitter, shutting down an explosive Norristown lineup, and leading the Packers to a 3-2 win and a 2-0 lead in the best-of-five opening-round playoff series.

"I thought I had real good movement on my fastball," Zwanch said. "I pitched inside really well tonight. And we played great defense. Daryl (Clark) made a heck of a play in center field — that was phenomenal."

Clark made a diving catch of a fly ball by Sean Meister, and that was the way the fifth inning began for the fourth-seeded

Agents. Zwanch retired Norristown in order in the final three innings — Mark Roth reached on a walk to start the sixth, but was then thrown out stealing by catcher Matt Blazynski.

Zwanch struck out six and walked six, and most importantly, limited an offense that had scored 12 runs in Game One, to just two runs in Game Two.

Nor-Gwyn got the go-ahead run in the fifth, when Adam Soley ripped a single off the mound, out of the reach of Norristown starter Ryan Windt, and the ball squirted into center field, with Ryan Griffin crossing home to give the fifth-seeded Packers a 3-2 lead.

Norristown was hitless the final three innings, with the final out coming when first baseman Mike Knipe settled under a foul pop by Matt Altieiri, and squeezed it to end the seventh.

Zwanch has pitched for two seasons now with Nor-Gwyn — prior to that, he played his Perky ball with the now-defunct Norristown A's. The 33-year-old right-hander is enjoying his time with the Packers.

"I love coming out here. I love playing with these guys," he said. "The leagues up (in Scranton) aren't very good.

"So I'd rather play in a good league down here and make the trip down once a week, than play up there and waist my time. And I lived in this area for 12 years, so it's an excuse to come down and see my buddies."

Zwanch, who threw for Valley View High School in Scranton and also Drexel University, likes the promise the Packers have in their lineup.

"There are some real good young players on this team," he said.

After a 16-12 victory in Game One, Nor-Gwyn seemingly had its offense going again early at Hostelley Field on Tuesday, as Griffin singled and scored on a double play for a quick 1-0 lead in the first.

But runs would be few, and Norristown tied it in the fourth on a sacrifice fly by D.J. Santoro.

The Agents took a 2-1 lead that same inning with an RBI double by Matt Altieri, but the Packers tied it in the fourth on an error, and then took the lead for good in the fifth.

Nor-Gwyn now hopes to win Game Three today at Norristown at 7:30 p.m., and make a rare trip to the semifinals.

"It would be nice, it would be real nice," Zwanch said. "There's no sense letting the series go to Thursday if we don't have to."

Date: July 28, 2009     Time: 7:30pm      Venue: Ben Hosteley Field