Yellowjackets end 21-year drought with 1-0 play-in win

By Stephen Cukovich

Eagle Correspondent

WASHINGTON, Pa. —Sometimes the best thing a pitcher can do is just put the ball down the middle and let his fielders do the work.

Freeport pitcher Jarrett Heilman did just that Wednesday night as the Yellowjackets defeated Keystone Oaks, 1-0, in the WPIAL 3A consolation game at Ross Memorial Park.

“(Heilman) just stays within himself,” Freeport coach Ed Carr said. “He never gets frustrated, just throws his pitches and puts the ball in play for the guys.”

A true pitchers’ duel took place at Washington & Jefferson College with 18 combined strikeouts. Heilman fanned eight batters himself, while Golden Eagle pitcher Sam Tortorella set down 10. Both pitchers allowed just three hits a piece.

“It was just what we are used to seeing from Jarrett,” Carr said. “Commanded the ball very well and he only walked one, which was just his fifth of the season.

“(Tortorella) is a hard throwing left-hander who can really mix up his pitches well and it’s tough picking up what pitch he’s going to throw next.”

The lone run of the game came in the bottom of the second when Bradyn Clark singled home Brayden King.

The win clinched Freeport’s first PIAA playoff appearance since 1998 when it finished as WPIAL Class AA runner-up.

“It is a special day for Freeport baseball,” Carr said. “We now just got to move onto the next game.”

That next game is a match-up with District 10 champion Franklin (21-1) on Monday with a time and site to be determined.

“We definitely need to scout them more,” Carr said, “but they’re obviously one of the better teams we will face this year.”

Keystone Oaks 000 000 0 — 0 3 1

Freeport 010 000 x — 1 3 0

W: Jarret Heilman 7IP (8K, 1BB). L: Sam Tortorella 6IP (10K, 1BB).

Keystone Oaks (14-6): Sam Tortorella 2B

Freeport (15-6): Garrett Ben 1B, Bradyn Clark 1B

Monday: Freeport vs. Franklin in PIAA Playoffs, time and location TBD.