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South Western rallies to earn spot in PIAA tournament


SOUTH WESTERN 3, HERSHEY 2 >> The South Western doubles teams of Ben Harrison-Shane O'Reilly and Patrick Kane-Cameron Nathanson came up clutch with come-from-behind, three-set wins to send the Mustangs to the PIAA tournament with their win against Hershey.

The Mustangs fell behind early. Ben Harrison and O'Reilly dropped their first set, 4-6, and so did Kane and Nathanson, 3-6. That, coupled with Hershey's Nos. 1 and 2 players winning their singles matches, dropped South Western into a hole.

But Joe Harrison finished off a 6-3, 6-1 victory against Harry Blackall at No. 3 singles to give South Western some life.

Riding that momentum, Ben Harrison and O'Reilly picked up a 6-1 second-set win before closing off the match, 6-2 in the final set to knot the score at two.

It all came down to Kane and Nathanson.

The duo rallied to tie their match with a 6-2 second set win, before pulling out the third set, 6-4, to win the match for South Western and punch its ticket to the state tournament.

The Mustangs will enter the PIAA tournament at 14-2 and will face the District 1 champion on Tuesday, May 12.

South Western 3, Hershey 2 at Hershey

Singles — Dante Falcucci, Her, def. Gavin Kenny, 6-0, 7-6 (2). Jacob Jastrzebski, Her, def. Ben Sentz, 6-4, 6-3. Joe Harrison, SW, def. Harry Blackall, 6-3, 6-1.

Doubles — Ben Harrison/Shane O'Reilly, SW, def. Paul Banka/Ryan McCurdy, 4-6, 6-1, 6-2. Patrick Kane/Cameron Nathanson, SW, def. Jay Yang/Rajiv Nair, 3-6, 6-2, 6-4.