VanOstenbridge, Bulldogs throw Dallastown a curve in District 3 opener

(This story has been updated, with time change for Thursday’s quarterfinal game.)

Wilson threw fifth-seeded Dallastown a curve Monday in a District 3 Class 6 opener.

The hard-hitting Wildcats, who have five players batting .333 or batter and average better than seven runs per game, were expecting to face hard-throwing right-hander Rueben Livingston.

Instead they got curveballing left-hander Matt VanOstenbridge. Or better, he got them.

The sophomore pitched his best game of the season, throwing a four-hitter in a 1-0 victory that sends the 12th-seeded Bulldogs (11-10) into the quarterfinals.

“Matt pitched phenomenal,” said Bulldogs coach Sal Raccuglia. “He had ’em dancing in the box; they couldn’t touch his offspeed stuff. He was the right match-up for them.”

Raccuglia was hoping to pitch Livingston but the two-time All-Berks pick wasn’t throwing freely at practice Sunday and didn’t think he could pitch Monday. So, the Bulldogs went to Plan B.

“They were expecting Rueben and they got a lefty,” Raccuglia said. “Matty threw all his offspeed pitches for strikes. Not only did they swing through a lot but they took a lot of them for strikes.”

The game was scoreless until the top of the seventh. Tommy Hunsicker led off with a walk and was sacrificed to second by Nick Crocona. An infield single by Jordan Shutter and a walk by pinch-hitter Nick Fiorini loaded the bases.

Rafael Fernandez’s sacrifice fly brought home Hunsicker with the go-ahead run.

Wilson, the two-time defending district champ, advances to play at fourth-seeded Manheim Township (19-3), which received a first-round bye. They’ll meet Thursday at 7 at Neffsville.

Raccuglia believes Livingston will be available to pitch against the Blue Streaks.

After losing five one-run games during the regular season the tide seems to be turning for the Bulldogs, who have a winning record for the first time all season. They opened the year with four straight losses and didn’t qualify for districts until the final day of the regular season, when they beat Boyertown to grab the 12th and final spot in Class 6A.

“We came up short a lot this season,” Raccuglia said. “We talk to the guys about opportunities, and this team has worked hard to get opportunities, but we haven’t always taken advantage of them. The last couple weeks we’ve been taking advantage of some of the opportunities we’ve been given.”

Wilson finally won a one-run game in the Berks playoffs, beating Twin Valley 3-2 in the quarterfinals.

VanOstenbridge (4-2) walked just two and struck out eight. He ran into trouble in the fifth when the Wildcats (16-6) put runners on second and third base with none out. He struck out next three batters.

“You had a sophomore go out and get it done,” Raccuglia. “That is great for this team, great for our program.”

It was the first 1-0 win for Wilson in District 3 Tournament play, spanning 42 games since 1977. It’s only other shutout in district play came last season, 6-0 over Hempfield in a quarterfinal. Luke Holman started and won that game. The Bulldogs went on to win their second straight district tournament.

The shutout was the sixth for the Bulldogs this season. VanOstenbridge started one of those, against Conrad Weiser, and closed two others, against Daniel Boone and Fleetwood. They beat the Tigers 1-0.

VanOstenbridge lowered his team-leading ERA to 0.84. He has struck out 47 over 33 1/3 innings, allowing just 18 hits.

The Blue Streaks went 7-2 in Lancaster-Lebanon League Section 1 play this season. Their losses came to Hempfield, Warwick and Penn Manor. They did not qualify for the district tournament last season.