LIMEPORT — Pat Joyce’s Jim Thorpe Connie Mack squad was playing some of its best baseball when it mattered most.

Carrying momentum from a berth in the Lehigh Valley CM championship game, Jim Thorpe delivered a deep run in the state playoffs.

It was one that proved the progress the program has made.

Unfortunately for Jim Thorpe, Monday provided a heartbreaking ending to the season as Southern Lehigh rallied for a 12-11 victory with six runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.

The loss knocked Jim Thorpe out of the double-elimination tourney.

The setback was hard to swallow. But Joyce didn’t have to look far for a silver lining.

“It was farther than we made it last year, which was nice. We kind of went by goals throughout the year ... we wanted to make the league playoffs, we wanted to see how far we could get there,” said Joyce. “Then we wanted to qualify for the state playoffs. We got a taste of that last year, and we really enjoyed that experience. Last year, we went two-and-out. This year, we were able to win a couple games. And the two losses we had this year were real close, too. So we were happy to have competed as well as we did.

“We’re disappointed because we did want to go farther. We thought we could compete with anybody in that state tournament”

And they did.

Thorpe rebounded from a 2-4 start on the season, ripping off a six-game winning streak down the stretch.

“I think that’s what happens when you play good teams, and you compete, and you win some close games, you build confidence,” said Joyce. “And that’s what happened with this group of guys. It was nice, because as the season went on, you could really see their confidence continue to build. And it was nice.

“When we got to the playoffs, we just thought that with the way we were playing, we felt very confident, we felt we could compete with anybody in the state. And we kind of showed that here.”

Jim Thorpe struck first against Southern Lehigh with three runs in the top of the third inning courtesy of timely hits from Mike Cadogan-Daugherty (two-run single) and Spencer Hunsicker (RBI single) to go up 3-0. After Southern Lehigh pulled a run back in the bottom of the frame, Thorpe plated two more runs in the top of the third inning as Jared Marykwas (sacrifice fly) and Hunsicker (RBI single) pushed the advantage to 5-1.

Southern Lehigh again answered, scoring three times in the bottom of the third to cut it to 5-4.

The teams traded blows in the fifth and sixth innings until the top of the seventh, when JT scored four runs to a turn a one-run advantage into an 11-6 lead.

In the Thorpe seventh, DJ Richebacher scored an RBI on a fielder’s choice, while Brandon Fasolino scored on an error. Richebacher and Cadugan-Daugherty both scored on a passed ball.

But Southern Lehigh rallied in the bottom of the inning, scoring six runs with two outs to seal the victory in the double-elimination tournament.

“We were happy to get a couple of runs in the top of the seventh,” said Joyce. “But we knew with the way the game had been going, those three outs were going to be tough. And they were, with a team like that. That bottom of the seventh, we got two outs, and everything they hit just seemed to find a hole at that point.”

“The kids are resilient,” said Joyce. “Right after the game we were talking to the kids, and they were disappointed. But then when they were packing their bags, you could see their spirits start to pick up a little bit.

“The whole season, but especially in the league and state tournament, the kids just showed a great deal of heart and a great deal of spirit. They left everything they had for us on the field. We appreciate every ounce of sweat that they gave us this year.”

LEADERS

… Hunsicker led Jim Thorpe with three singles, two RBIs and a run scored. Meanwhile, Richenbacher crossed the plate three times. Marykwas finished with a single, double, two runs scored and a RBI, while Ian Hubbard (two singles) and Cadogan-Daugherty (two singles, two RBIs, a run scored) also added multiple hits. Fasolino added two runs scored, and Blaine Dart walked twice.

LATE INNING ACTION

… It was the second time in the last four days that Jim Thorpe had a game decided in the seventh inning. On Friday, JT scored seven runs to secure an 8-2 win over Wilson.

Jim Thorpe 032 011 4 – 11 13 2

So. Lehigh 013 002 6 – 12 15 3

Hunsicker, Sompel (5), Joyce (7) and Hubbard; Balliet, Seiger (3), Wentling (7). W-Wentling. L-Joyce.