Cougars beaten in 9th by top-seeded Lions

Top-seeded Camp Hill ended the fourth-seeded Kutztown’s season for the second year in a row, scoring a run in the bottom of the ninth Monday to beat the visiting Cougars 2-1 and advance to the District 3 Class 2A championship game.

The Cougars (15-8) scored in the first inning to take the lead but saw the Lions (17-5) tie it in the third, then walk it off in the second extra frame.

Camp Hill’s Luke Becker drew a leadoff walk to open the ninth and advanced on a walk to Grant Cutler. After they were sacrificed up a base, Becker scored on a one-out grounder to the right side by Christian Doi, the Lions’ top hitter.

Kutztown was eliminated 6-1 in a district semifinal by Camp Hill last season. The Lions went on to beat Newport 9-1 for the title.

The Cougars went up 1-0 when Matt Remick, who walked and advanced to third on an error, scored on a double-play grounder.

Ace right-hander Grant Fitzgerald was excellent for the Cougars, pitching the first eight innings. He allowed six hits, one walk and one unearned run. Remick took over to start the ninth.

The Cougars had a chance to take the lead in the eighth, putting runners on second and third with none out before Doi excaped the jam. Doi went the final 2 1/3 innings to pick up the win.

Luke Parise (5-1) went the first 6 2/3 innings for Camp Hill, allowing four hits and one run, unearned. He struck out seven.

Kole Schuler had two of Kutztown’s five hits.

Fitzgerald, named to the All-Berks team on Sunday, finished the season 6-1 with a 1.32 ERA and 53 strikeouts over 53 innings.