Dock traveled to Boyertown to take on Faith Christian Academy at the classic Boyertown Bears Stadium.

The first matchup earlier in the year was lopsided with Dock winning 10-0 in six innings. This one would go much differently.

Nate Lapp worked around a leadoff single to hold FCA scoreless. Brayden Kratz sent a double down the rightfield line to get Dock’s first base runner of the game. He was followed up by Deven Ross getting hit by a pitch to give runners on first and third, setting the stage for Zach Frederick’s one hop line drive off of Faith’s third baseman. Dock almost took a commanding lead when the next hitter, Zach Neff was robbed of a double and two RBI by the left fielder making a diving play. That foreshadowed what was to come for Faith’s defense which made five game saving diving plays on the infield and outfield.

Nate Lapp allowed one base runner each of the first three innings but none scored. The bottom of the third is when Sam Laux stepped to the plate and drove the 1-0 pitch over the fence for a 2-0 lead. A single by Ross and a Double by Frederick both came around to score after Zach Neff doubled to leftfield, making the score 4-0. With two outs in the same inning Cooper Brannon singled home Neff taking the lead to 5-0.

Faith would not go away quietly scoring 3 runs in the fifth inning to cut the score to 5-3 and left a runner stranded on third.

Dock threatened with bases loaded and one out when Ross smashed a line drive that was caught and doubled up Kratz at second ending a threat to add one run.

Lapp threw 6.2 innings scattering 7 hits 1 walk and 9 Ks. Handing the ball over to the closer Cooper Brannon who struck out Faith’s cleanup hitter to secure the District 1 Championship and advance to the first round of PIAA State Championship.

For the game 7 different Pioneers collected a hit with Kratz, Laux and Neff getting two a piece. Neff led the team in RBI with 2.