Beyer's Mammoth Blast Lifts Bristol To Win At National Regional

Boyertown, Pa. -- After winning the MVP award at the Pennsylvania Tournament last week, the expectations placed on the shoulders of catcher Brian Beyer as newly crowned state champion Bristol took the field at historic Bears Stadium, were at an all-time high.

On Thursday, Beyer and Bristol Post 382, stumbled in the opening round of the 2011 Mid Atlantic National regional tournament, falling 5-1 to Maryland state champion Chaney Enterprises, placing them selves in peril of being eliminated for the first time in the post season since the Lower Bucks League playoffs.

"We just didn’t hit today," said manager Tim Monoghan after Thursday’s loss. "We were bound to have a bad game at the plate, the timing was just horrible. We will regroup and get ready tomorrow, Brian and Dave (Blount) are due to break out anytime."

Just as Monoghan drew it up, Beyer (2-for-3, 3 runs, 2RBI) responded Friday morning as Bristol was clinging, in every sense of the word, to a one-run lead as they came to bat in the top of the eighth innings.

Jeff Lesko led off the inning with a base hit up the middle, Bristol’s fifth hit to that point, and following Dave Blount dropping down a sac bunt which ended in Lesko being tossed out at second. It was Beyer who stepped into the box and propelled Bristol into Saturday’s quarter finals.

Beyer launched a 1-1 fast ball over the 25-foot scoreboard and clock in left center field at legendary Bear stadium, a feat that only a hand full of players have done in its 30 years of existence, to give Post 382 a three-run edge and the spark they needed to roll to a 9-4 win, moving Cinderella one step closer to the biggest dance in the country.  

"That was huge," said Boyertown Bears first basemen Andrew Gehringer, who attends Widener University. "I have never seen a ball go over the clock in all of the time I have played here. What a bomb!"

Steve Arthur was outstanding again on the mound for Post 382, improving his overall season record to 9-0 with a minuscule 1.7 post season ERA. Bordentown picked away adding one run in four consecutive innings to chip away at the Bristol advantage, but Arthur lever allowed that one "big hit" to do he and his mates in as he gave up two earned runs and struck out three.

"I knew that they would have to hit the ball to beat us with Steve on the mound," said Monoghan. "He is a fighter and always around the plate. He won’t beat himself. You have to earn it against Steve."

The win advances Bristol to the 4:30 p.m. game on Saturday, where they will face the loser of the host team and state runner up Boyertown vs. New Jersey state champion Brooklawn, playing for a spot in the semi finals on Sunday.

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

R

H

E

Bristol

3

0

0

0

1

0

0

3

2

9

8

4

Bordentown, NJ

0

0

0

0

1

1

1

1

0

4

11

2

 Thursday, Aug. 4: Opening Round

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

8

9

R

H

E

Waldorf, Md

2

0

0

0

0

0

2

0

1

5

7

1

Bristol

0

0

1

0

0

1

0

0

0

1

7

3

Mid Atlantic National Regional Tournament

Thursday, Aug. 4 Opening Round

Middletown, Del. 5  Bordentown, N.J. 1

Brooklawnj, N.J. 6  Blackhawk, Pa. 5

Chaney, Md. 5  Bristol, Pa. 1

Boyertown, Pa. 10 South Charleston, WV 6

Friday, Aug. 5

Bristol 9   Bordentown, N.J. 4

Blackhawk, Pa. vs South Charleston, WV

4:30 Middletown, Del. vs Chaney Ent, Md.

Brooklawn, N.J. vs Boyertown, Pa.

Saturday, Aug. 6

4:30 Bristol Post 382 vs Boyertown/Brooklawn loser