LIMEPORT – In the end, it was about the experience.

With a 6-2 loss to South Parkland Friday night, Jim Thorpe was eliminated from the Pennsylvania State Connie Mack Tournament at Limeport Stadium. The Olympians suffered an 8-7 loss to Hellertown earlier in the double-elimination tourney.

Despite having some players missing from their lineup due to vacations, the Olympians enjoyed and also benefited from their experience.

“We had some kids on vacation, but it gave the other kids an opportunity and they had good games,” said Jim Thorpe head coach Pat Joyce. “This was a good experience for our kids. Getting here was one of our main goals.

“We wanted to come down and compete with these teams and get experience.”

Unfortunately, Jim Thorpe was handcuffed most of the night by South Parkland right-hander Nakhil Patel, who threw a complete game seven-hitter.

Patel was supported by an opening run in the first due to a passed ball, and then was given a 4-0 lead when his teammates added three more runs in the third, manufactured by two walks, an error, and two infield hits. They took advantage of six walks throughout the game.

South Parkland padded its lead with a pair of runs in the sixth off reliever Collin Binder. Drew Frank started the game and went 5 1/3 innings.

In turn, Patel worked his way through Jim Thorpe’s lineup through the first four innings, benefiting from a pair of double plays.

“He was throwing hard and he changed speeds well,” said Joyce about Patel. “ We were able to sit on his fastball. But once he picked up on it, he did change speeds with his changeup and curve. He was able to keep us off balance to where we weren’t able to piece a lot together.”

Jim Thorpe broke through in the fifth to plate a pair of runs on D.J. Richebacher’s single and Drew Wimmer’s groundout.

The Olympians had runners on first and second with two out in the seventh, but they couldn’t push another run across. Michael Dougherty had a pair of hits for Jim Thorpe.

Overall, though, it was a productive and memorable season.

“We had a good year,” said Joyce. “We achieved many of our goals. A lot of kids got experience. The kids that played every day got 75 to 80 plate appearances, and that’s what we want.

“Hopefully, they are a lot sharper going into next season.”

TAKE IT TO THE LIMIT ... Officials estimated the eight-day layoff of the tournament due to the constant rains and thunderstorms was the longest layoff in tournament history.

ELITE EIGHT ... The 12-team tournament is now down to eight teams. The overall winner will be determined Monday night.

SUPPLY AND DEMAND ... Due to the heavy rains and storms, officials were scrambling for supplies to keep the field in playing condition.

Jim Thorpe 000 020 0 – 2 7 1

South Parkland 103 002 x - 6 7 0

W-Patel. L-Frank.