The Emmaus High School baseball team was nine outs away from advancing to the final four of the PIAA Class 6A playoffs. But a late rally gave LaSalle College High School the 21-8 victory in the quarterfinal round last Thursday afternoon at Bears stadium in Boyertown.

The Green Hornets, who finished their season with a 22-6 overall record, led 7-6 in the top of the fifth inning, but the Explorers brought home 15 runs that frame to take control of the game. Emmaus had 11 hits with Jaden Gallagher, Andrew O’Brien, Blake Schantz and Dominick Chiego all finished with two hits. Gallagher, O’Brien and Tyler LePage each had RBIs.

“It just wasn’t our day,” said head coach Jeremy Haas. “There’s not a whole lot else to say. We had one bad inning and that was the deciding factor.”

The defeat comes after Emmaus had an exciting, walk-off victory in the first round over Governor Mifflin on June 7th. O’Brien had a sacrifice fly in the bottom of the 11th inning that earned the win.

“Winning a state game means our program is moving in the right direction,” said Haas. “There is still growth needed to reach our ultimate goal of winning a state championship.”

The Green Hornets had about as successful of a season as a team could, winning both the Eastern Pennsylvania Conference and District 11 championships.

“Our league and district playoffs could not have gone any better,” Haas said. “Anytime you win both championships available in your area, you have been incredibly successful. This is something that does not happen often.”

The senior class that will graduate with multiple gold medals includes O’Brien, Schantz, Braden Waller, Evan Amey and Bahyron Martinez.

“Our seniors are currently champions of everything they could have won,” said Haas. “They were champions of the High School Baseball Tournament [in 2020], the EPC tournament and District 11 playoffs. They have helped this program reach heights that have not been reached in a long time.

“More than anything, they have been tremendous leaders and men. They have shown the younger guys in the program how to practice and win. Emmaus baseball is a better program for having players like Waller, O’Brien, Schantz, Amey and Bahyron.”

Haas knows he will have another talented team next season, but wants to enjoy 2021 and what this team accomplished.

“My focus is on celebrating our 2021 season and our seniors,” Haas said. “There will be a time to look ahead, but now is a time for reflection and celebration. Next season can wait.”