LIMEPORT — After suffering a hard-fought loss to the No.1 seed out of the Bucks-Montgomery “A” League on Saturday, Jim Thorpe returned to its winning ways on Sunday.

Thorpe posted an 8-2 victory over Northeast Bethlehem in an elimination game in the PA State Connie Mack Baseball Tournament in Limeport.

Winning for the 15th time in its last 19 games, Jim Thorpe has proven to be one of the premier Connie Mack teams in the state, no matter what should occur in the rest of the tournament.

“We continue to get good pitching and play good defense and that combination gives you a chance to win every game,” said Jim Thorpe coach Pat Joyce.

Garrett Lienhard, who had three hits against Northeast Bethlehem, promptly led off the home first with a long double that sailed over the left fielder’s head. On the very next pitch, Jared Joyce lined a single to left scoring Lienhard. After a double play, Jared Marykwas bounced a single to right field. Brandon Fasolino followed with a hard single to left that was misplayed sending Marykwas home for a 2-0 JT lead. Spencer Hunsicker then walked. Fasolino stole third and raced home on an errant throw and just like that Thorpe led 3-0.

“Playing everyday now helps us to be ready with the first pitch and we jumped on them early,” said coach Joyce.

DJ Richebacher started on the mound for Thorpe and the hard throwing lefty, although struggling a bit with his command, didn’t give up a hit until the third inning. Overall, he threw six innings, allowing one run and four hits. He walked three and struck out three.

In the home second, Michael Cadogan-Daugherty reached on an error and stole second. With two outs, Liernhard ripped a single to left scoring Cadogan-Daugherty.

Jim Thorpe took a 6-0 lead into the bottom of the fourth when two walks, a balk, and an RBI hit by Lienhard put two more runs on the scoreboard.

Down by six runs, NE Bethlehem threatened to get back in the game when it loaded the bases with no outs in the top of the sixth. Lukas Azzati led of with a walk. David Espinal singled to left. Daniel Espinal then reached when a fielder’s choice failed to get an out. Withe bases loaded, Max Heffner walked to push home NEB’s first run.

Thorpe got a break when Ryan Hoffam’s bouncing ball to third hit the runner in fair territory to record the inning’s first out.

Supporting Joyce’s comment about his team playing good defense, Richebacher then induced a 6-4-3 double play to end the inning.

“We capitalized on seven walks and some of their sloppy play,” coach Joyce said. “They are a much better team than they showed today.”

After the game, Joyce challenged his team. “We will be playing our fourth game in four days tomorrow,” he said to them. “Let’s see how tough you are.”

Jim Thorpe meets Southern Lehigh tonight at 7:30. In a Lehigh Valley League playoff game a few weeks ago, JT defeated Southern Lehigh by a score of 6-0.

LIGHTNING STRIKES OUT ... The game was halted in the top of the sixth inning after NEB had loaded the bases. One lightning bolt was seen far off in the distance over the left field wall. After the announcer declared there would be a 30 minute delay, the home plate umpire overruled the delay after discovering that the strike was 40 miles away and the game then resumed.

ARMS AND GLOVES ... In its three State Tournament games played thus far, Jim Thorpe has allowed just seven earned runs in 21 innings, a sign of solid pitching and great defense against state qualifying opponents.

NE Bethlehem 000 001 1 - 2 5 2

Jim Thorpe 310 202 x - 8 7 2

Burgos, Neipert (4) and Espina, Roeder (5); Richebacher, Sompel (7) and Hubbard. W - Richebacher. L - Burgos.

SATURDAY

Jim Thorpe-Central Perk

One swing of the bat of Jim Kirk resulted in a three-run first inning homer as Central Perk edged Jim Thorpe, 4-2, in a winner’s bracket quarterfinal round game.

Jim Thorpe closed the gap to 3-2 before succumbing, but CP tacked on an insurance run and held on for the victory.

Jim Thorpe’s Jared Marykwas pitched a superb complete game against a powerful lineup, allowing just three earned runs on eight hits. He walked just one and struck out five.

Richebacher drove in Spencer Hunsicker with JT’s first run and Nate Sompel set up the second run with a double to center field.

Jim Thorpe 010 010 0 - 2 7 1

Central Perk 300 001 x - 4 8 1

W-Stasyk. L-Marykwas.