By: Ian Mendola & Justin Horak
Staff Writers
New Hope Solebury Lions Baseball ended their season 16-4 with their only losses being to Holy Ghost Prep, Lower Moreland and Christopher Dock. As the season winds down, nine seniors are close to their last game as lions. The team has two seniors taking talent beyond high school baseball. Derek Smith will be attending and filling out the outfield for Dickinson University. In addition, Blake Doherty will be attending the United States Naval Academy where he will also be a pitcher. As the season winds down, Derek Smith is hitting .388 with four home runs. Blake Doherty is hitting .328 with 14 RBI’s. They both are huge factors in the team's success both on the mound and in the outfield.
The starting lineup stayed the same throughout the season with Blake Doherty and Deven Smith as the number top pitchers, John Mangan (Catcher), Blake Doherty or Cole Davis (First Base), Michael Lehman (Second Base), Cameron Mertz (Shortstop), Jack Gawason (Third Base), Kyle Campbell (Left Field), Connor Campbell (Center Field), Derek Smith (Right Field) and Justin Horak or Dan Khouri (Designated Hitter). The starting lineup for the Lions had five first team all-league players and three second team athletes on the team. Head Coach Tony Vlahovic won coach of the year for the second season in a row.
This year at New Hope-Solebury High School, the varsity baseball team is having an amazing season. With the current record being 16-4, they have advanced to the district playoffs. The Lions' District Semi-Final Game will be hosted at HOME at the varsity field. The game will have a noon start time on Saturday, May 25. This group of senior players has the most wins for a class in New Hope history. We are hoping to continue to add to those wins within the following weeks.
Make sure to come out and support the boys on Saturday!
On Saturday May 25, New Hope Solebury Baseball played against Palmerton High School. The game went down to the wire and did not end until the 8th inning. The game started off with Blake Doherty on the mound pitching for the Lions. The team had a shutout top of the first in the field. Starting at the bottom of the first inning was Mike Lehman, Cameron Mertz, and Derek Smith. Cam Mertz came up with a big hit to get him a double with 1 out. Derek Smith came up to the plate and hit a home run to right field. The Lions went up 2-0 at the end of the first inning.
Make sure to come out and support the boys on Saturday! On Saturday May 25, New Hope Solebury Baseball played against Palmerton High School. The game went down to the wire and did not end until the 8th inning. The game started off with Blake Doherty on the mound pitching for the Lions. The team had a shutout top of the first in the field. Starting at the bottom of the first inning was Mike Lehman, Cameron Mertz, and Derek Smith. Cam Mertz came up with a big hit to get him a double with 1 out. Derek Smith came up to the plate and hit a home run to right field. The Lions went up 2-0 at the end of the first inning. Throughout the whole game the score was very tight. Neither team had a major lead throughout the entire game. As the 7th inning is approaching, New Hope and Palmerton are tied 7-7. With both teams playing tight defense no team scored in the 7th inning. New Hope was in the field at the top of the inning. With Josh Shiller on the mound for the Lions in the top 8th, they came out of the inning with the game still tied. With Mike Lehman, Cameron Mertz and Derek Smith coming up in the bottom 8th the Lions are due for a run. Mike Lehman got up to the plate and came up with a big hit to get on first base. While Cameron Mertz is up to bat, Mike Lehman steals second base and is now on 2. Cameron Mertz struck out trying to bunt. Palmerton intentionally walked Derek Smith with John Mangan coming up with 1 out. First pitch John Mangan hit a line drive to left field and drove in Mike Lehman from second. As soon as Mike Lehman touched home plate to get the winning run the whole team dog piled in the infield. With an all out team effort the Lions are headed to Coca Cola Park in Allentown for the District Finals Game.
The Lions have started the district final game strong. The team has bases loaded with one out. But were unsuccessful in scoring any potential runs on the board. Josh Shiller was the starting pitcher for this game and he threw a great game but was wearing down. First team all BAL pitcher Deven Smith entered the game in the fifth inning. Everyone was cheering for #6. Deven threw a fantastic game and the Lions were holding their own for 6 innings and then things took a turn for the worst. Notre Dame was playing a fantastic game and ended up taking the win 5-0. It was a fantastic season for the Lions.
