Ocean State Makos pitcher Gian Lepore covers first base to record a ground ball out.
By Sean Reilly
Luke Terlesky had a chance to help himself on Wednesday afternoon, and the Spring Ford Baseball standout took full advantage.
Terlesky was the starting pitcher for his Pennsylvania team when it met the Ocean State Makos from Rhode Island at the Super 17/18U Garden State Invitational at Diamond Nation.
After allowing a run in the top of the first inning, Terlesky came up to bat in the bottom of the frame with one out and runners on first and second base.
He came through with a two-run triple to left-center field, and scored when Ryan Cecconi followed with a single to center.
With a lead to work with, Terlesky found a grove in the sweltering conditions, and Spring Ford went on to register a 4-2 victory in Flemington.
Spring Ford went on to defeat Uncommon Baseball 2025 Gold, 5-0, later in the day to finish 4-0 in the tournament with a 23-5 run differential.
Spring Ford was the only squad in the 10-team tournament to finish unbeaten. The top five teams in the standings qualified for the Super 17 Top 25 Showcase from Aug. 12-15.
In his winning effort against Ocean State, Terlesky worked the first three innings. Jayson Ehrhart pitched the final three frames in the six-inning game. He also allowed one run on three hits. Both pitchers buckled down in key situations, as Ocean State left 12 on base.
“I didn’t have my best stuff,” Terlesky said. “I was walking too many guys. I should have trusted my defense more, and let them hit it more, but it worked out.”
Ocean State, which finished the tournament with a 2-2 record, took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first after Logan Downey led off with a single to center and Cade Thomas followed with a stand up triple to center. Two walks loaded the bases with two out, but Terlesky followed with his third strikeout of the inning.
Spring Ford’s rally in the bottom of the inning began when Nate Romberger singled to center with one out. Jake Witmer walked on a full count before Terlesky drove in both with his triple after taking the first pitch for a ball.
“He threw me kind of a middle fastball, knee high, so I stayed back and swung it hard to left-center,” he said. “If I can go oppo, that means I’m seeing it well.”
After Cecconi’s single added to the lead, it reduced the pitching pressure for Terlesky on a sweltering afternoon.
“It gave me confidence to go back out there with two runs to spare,” he said. “I know my defense is good, and that they could make plays.”
Spring Ford added to its lead in the bottom of the fourth.
Cecconi and Aidan Sgarra drew back-to-back walks with one out, and advanced to second and third on a passed ball. Ryan Fields followed with a sacrifice fly to right field.
Spring Ford Baseball Club third baseman Jake Witmer makes throw to first for an out.
Ocean State began the top of the fifth with a single to center by Hank Martin. He was then safe at second as Nolan Mello reached on a fielder’s choice. Justin Cleaves bunted the runners into scoring position, and Gian Lepore followed with an RBI groundout to first. With a runner on third and the tying run at the plate, Ehrhart struck out the next batter.
Downey and Thomas both went 2-for-3 for Ocean State.
Cecconi was 1-for-1 with a walk for Spring Ford.
Terlesky wound up hitting safely in three of the four tournament games. He just completed his junior year at Pope John Paul II High School, and on June 29 committed to West Chester (Pa.) University.
“Diamond Nation always has good tournaments,” he says. “It’s always run really well and has a bunch of good coaches here, so it’s a good opportunity for all of my teammates.”