By Peter DiGiovanni
pdgiovanni07@gmail.com
PLYMOUTH MEETING – The Coatesville High School baseball team’s dream of taking home a PIAA 6A championship expired Thursday afternoon at Villanova Ballpark as Neshaminy rallied for three runs in the seventh inning for a 3-1 win in the PIAA 6A quarterfinal round.
The contest featured a pitching duel between the Sean Kinzler of the Red Raiders (21-7) and Neshaminy’s Matt Gryn. Both starters went the distance and both were very effective. But, a three run rally in the top of the seventh, highlighted by a two run single from Jake Plebani, was the difference.
Coatesville pitcher (14) Sean Kinsler throws in the PIAA state quarter-finals against Neshaminy Thursday at Villanova stadium in Plymouth, The Red Raiders fell 3-1 to end a successful season. PETE BANNAN-MEDIA NEWS GROUP
“I hit a fastball that was up in the zone,” Plebani said. “I had two two balls pretty hard in my at bats and had nothing to show for it so I really wanted to put something in play. Matt was real good on the mound today and his slider was excellent.
“This is a great feeling to get past the quarters and get to the semifinals. I am a senior and I really don’t want this ride to end.”
Coatesville was making its first quarterfinal appearance since 2013 and was looking to get into the semifinals for the first time since losing in the title game in 1998. Neshaminy (18-7) advances to the semifinals for the first time since 2019 and will face either District 1 champion North Penn or District 2 titlest Hazelton on Monday.
Neshaminy almost broke the scoreless tie in the top of the fifth inning when the Skins put two men on base with two out. Plebani then hit a hard line shot that Coatesville shortstop Shane Monaghan leaped high in the air to snag, and the game remained scoreless.
Coatesville ‘s(5) Adam Clark is safe at second as Neshaminy’s Chase Bonner was late with the tag in the sixth inning of the PIAA state quarter-finals against Neshaminy Thursday at Villanova stadium in Plymouth, The Red Raiders fell 3-1 to end a successful season. PETE BANNAN-MEDIANEWS GROUP
Coatesville broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the sixth inning as they finally got to Gryn. Adam Clark lined a sharp single to get things going. Clark then stole second base and went to third on a single by Jayden Giuseppe.
Giuseppe stole second base to put men on second and third with two out. Kinzler helped his own cause with a RBI single to center field to plate the first Red Raiders run. But, Giuseppe was thrown out at home on a great throw from center field to keep it a 1-0 game on a bang-bang play at the plate.
Neshaminy center fielder (5) Danny Nocito is all smiles while Coatesville’s (10) Shane Monaghan walks it off following the final out of the PIAA state quarter-finals Thursday at Villanova stadium in Plymouth, The Red Raiders fell 3-1 to end a successful season. PETE BANNAN-MEDIANEWS GROUP
“The reason we have been successful is that we stress good pitching and defense and good fundamentals,” Skins coach Dan Toner said. “”We were hot at the plate early in the season and then after a junior class trip, the bats slowed down.
“So, we have been working real hard to change our approach at the plate and stress to put the ball in play. And we know with Matt on the mound it is going to be a low scoring game and we just got the bats going at the right time. Cutting down that second runner at the plate was huge also.”
Neshaminy players celebrate as (7) Anthony Kurley scored to make it 3-1 in the sixth inning Thursday at Villanova stadium in Plymouth, . PETE BANNAN-MEDIANEWS GROUP
The Skins got one out singles in the top of the seventh from Noah Wallace and Anthony Kurley to put men on first and second with one out against Kinzler. Danny Nocito singled to load the bases and Nick Sassano singled to right field to make it a 1-1 game.
Up came Plebani, the lead off hitter in the Skins (18-7) order. Plebani worked the count to 2-1 and then lined a two-run single to left center, scoring two Neshamaniy runners for a 3-1 lead.
Coatesville tried to battle back in the bottom of the seventh. Gryn got the first two Red Raiders out before AJ Rubincam walked. Nuge Willard lined a single to center field and the Red Raiders had the go-ahead run coming up to bat in Shane Monaghan.
Monagahan launched a deep foul ball to left field for a strike and then flied out to medium center field on Gryn’s 105th pitch and the Red Raiders’ season was over.
Nuge Willard was called for runner interference in the first inning as Coatesville fell to Neshaminy 3-1 in the quarter finals of state playoffs at Villanova Stadium Thursday. PETE BANNAN-MEDIANEWS GROUP
“I was mixing my pitches very well today,” Gryn said. “My curveball felt real good coming out of my hand and i was able to get ahead of the hitters most of the game. We have been in a little bit of a hitting slump lately but the bats came through when we needed it the most.”
For Coatesville coach Hal Ziegler, it was a bitter loss as the Red Raiders fine season came to an abrupt halt.
“We just cannot hit with men in scoring position,” Ziegler said. “It is not for a lack of effort. The kids gave everything they had and Sean pitched a great game and knocked in our only run. We just could not get the big hit.”
Neshaminy 3, Coatesville 1
Neshmainy 000 000 3 – 3
Coatesville 000 001 0 – 1
WP-Gryn. LP-Kinzler.
Originally Published: June 5, 2025 at 4:41 PM EDT