Windber drops heartbreaker to Everett in District 5-2A baseball title

CLAYSBURG — Windber rallied to even things with Everett in the District 5 Class 2A baseball championship game, however, it proved to be all for naught.

Two errors in the bottom of the seventh, including a throw that wound up in right field, allowed the winning run to score as the Warriors claimed a 5-4 victory over the Ramblers for D5 gold, Tuesday, May 26, at Claysburg-Kimmel.

“We were a little tight in the first inning,” said first-year Windber coach Cam Banjak. “We settled down and got into the rhythm of the game. This is the first time any of these guys have played in a game of this magnitude. It showed early on, but they bounced back and made plays to keep us in the game.”

After recording the first two outs of the seventh on back-to-back strikeouts, Windber junior starting pitcher Logan Serenko had two be lifted due to pitch count. His freshman brother Ike took over on the mound. A slow chopper to second allowed Levi Cornell to reach. Ike Serenko coaxed another harmless groundball to third, but some hesitation and a low throw allowed Cornell to race around and score the game-winning run.”

Everett (18-6), the No. 3 seed, struck for four runs in the bottom of the first. A single by Cody Spade, an error and a bunt single by Spencer Shaw loaded the bases for designated hitter Chase Sherwood, who ripped a single down the first base line, clearing the bases. Trent Cessna added an RBI single for a 4-0 advantage.

Windber (16-7) battled back and pulled within a run in the top of the third. Cole Mash drew a leadoff walk and Logan Serenko followed with a single. Dalton Strick came up clutch with two outs, lashing a sinking liner to right field that went under a diving Jackson Lucas and rolled all the way to the fence, which wound up as an inside-the-park home run.

The Ramblers evened things in the fifth. Logan Serenko drew a one-out walk and stole second. Lucas Rummel chased Serenko home with an RBI single to left. Logan Serenko reached base three times in the game and scored two runs. On the hill, he struck out eight.

Windber nearly pulled off its third upset of the postseason after knocking off McConnellsburg and previously unbeaten Conemaugh Township. However, the Ramblers came up just short, despite a valiant effort.

“We’ve had that fight all year,” Banjak said. “We were down to our last strike three different times against McConnellsburg in the quarterfinals. These guys are never out of a game. They know how to play from behind. They’ve been cardiac kids all year. They continued to be that way today. There is no quit in any person in the lineup and anyone in this dugout.”

Adam Ripple is the Daily American sports editor. He can be reached at 814-444-5926. Follow him on X @ARipple_DAsport. Follow Daily American Sports on Facebook and @dailyamericanmedia on Instagram.

This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Windber falls to Everett in District 5-2A baseball championship