BASEBALL: Donegal walks off against Palmyra in district quarters, 3-2

RED LION>> Camren Ney's walk Thursday was not as good as a hit.

It was better. In fact, it was as good as a state tournament berth.

Or for those in the Palmyra dugout, season-ending heartbreak.

Days after upsetting No. 2 West Perry in the District Three Class AAA tournament, the Cougars (12-10) were on the wrong side of a walk-off victory at Red Lion, losing 3-2 to No. 7 Donegal. Ney took a 3-2 fastball just low with the bases loaded in the bottom of the seventh to give the Indians (19-5) berths into both the district semifinals and PIAA Class AAA tournament first round. Palmyra starter Trevor Gill tossed a two-hitter, but gave up seven walks, including two of the intentional variety.

Working on orders from Cougars coach Tim Gingrich, Gill handed a free pass to Donegal lead-off hitter Ryan Myers as runners stood on the corners and Ney awaited on deck. Myers had owned the Indians' only hit of the day before Dale Houser opened the bottom of the seventh with a bloop single into shallow center.

"They got a key hit in the seventh that got them going and got them started. But that takes a lot of guts," Gingrich said of the taken final pitch. "That kid has a hell of an eye. Let's just put it that way."