Keating’s Fitness Center of Wilkes Barre, PA won the 2008 MAFTL (Mid Atlantic Fastpitch Travel League) Championship with a 12-8 come from behind victory over TNT of South Lebanon, PA. Down 6-0 in the fourth inning and 8-6 in the sixth inning, Keating’s completed their comeback with a Kevin Smith three run homerun to win their fourth MAFTL Championship in five years.
Keating’s finish the 2008 MAFTL with a record of 13-2 and two tournament weekend victories. The 8th ranked ISC II team enters the TOC with an overall record of (21-7-2).
The following is a summary of each game this weekend:
In their first game on Friday night Keating’s lost their only game of the weekend 8-5 to South Lebanon. Jeremy Tracy picked up the mound victory for TNT. Kelly Dampeer led Keating’s with a 2 for 4 effort, a 2 run homer and a double.
Saturday morning Keating’s defeated Kenneth Clark Co. from Maryland 8-0 behind the strong pitching of Mike Crawford. Crawford allowed 3 hits while striking out 9 and not allowing a walk. Toby Ranck paced the offense going 2 for 3, a 2 run home run and a 2 run double.
In their next game Troy Hertzler pitched a 3 hitter in the 7-0 victory over Aqua Specialities. Kelly Dampeer went 3 for 3 with a triple, double and a single.
Keating’s started the Playoff round on Saturday evening with a 3-1 win over the #9 ranked Hoffman Rise. Dave Stokes picked up the complete game win allowing 3 hits. Justin Stock was 2 for 3 with 2 singles.
Next up for Keating’s was the #3 ranked New York Knights. Keating’s defeated the Knights 9-2 as Scot Emerich went 3 for 3 with a 2 run homer, a triple and a double. Troy Hertzler got the win allowing 4 hits in 4.1 innings. Dave Stokes finished up the game in relief.
In the Championship game, Dave Stokes picked up the win in relief of starter Mike Crawford. Ryan Frank was 2 for 3 in the 12-8 win for Keating’s over the #2 ranked South Lebanon team with a home run and single.
Dave Stokes led the pitching staff with a 2-0 record. He pitched 15.2 innings, had a 0.46 ERA, allowed 8 hits, struck out 21 batters and walked 7. Troy Hertzler pitched 13.2 innings and had a 2-1 record. Mike Crawford pitched 8.2 innings, had a 1-0 record, had 11 strike outs and 2 walks.
Keating’s hit for a .354 team batting average and ..671 slugging average.
Offensively for Keating’s Scot Emerich was 7 for 11, .636 Avg, with a home run, triple, double and 4 singles. He had a .583 OBP and 1.182 SLG; Justin Stock: (10 for 16, .625 Avg, .650 OBP, ..625 SLG; Kelly Dampeer: (11 for 22, .500 Avg, 3 HR’s, 3B, 4 2B’s, 3 1B’s, 11 RBI’s, 9 Runs, 3 SB’s, ..522 OBP, 1.182 SLG; Neil Koser: (.500, Avg, 3B, 2 1B’s, .500 OBP, .833 SLG; Kevin Smith: (.455 Avg, ..538 OBP, 1.091 SLG; Toby Ranck: (.350 Avg, 3 HR’s, 2B, 3 1B’s, .850 SLG; Frank Keating Jr.: (.312 Avg)