The Upper Perk Kiwanis Jr. Legion team reached the final day of the Pennsylvania Youth State Tournament. However, the team fell two wins short of a title.

            Following a 7-3 season-ending loss to Connellsville in the semifinal round of the tournament in Berwick, manager Rick Rossiter told his players to focus on their many successes over the summer. "I can't remember a team this age winning this many games in one season," Rossiter said. "The boys had a heck of a lot of accomplishments."

            The Braves (29-10) reeled off three consecutive victories after falling 6-4 to Northampton in the tournament's opening round on Saturday, July 25. However, they were forced to settle for third place after losing to Connellsville, from Westmoreland County Junior Legion, on Wednesday morning.

            Down 7-1, they loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth inning. With one-out, Drew Graf delivered a line drive up the middle. Rossiter figured the hit would drive in two more runs and extend the rally. However, Connellsville pitcher Kace Shearer snagged the ball and converted it into an inning-ending double play.

            Upper Perk managed just five hits overall. According to Rossiter, his team struggled at the plate against Shearer, who lasted six innings.

            "We couldn't hit him," said the manager, whose team managed single runs in the second, sixth and seventh innings.

            Connellsville scored twice in the fourth inning off Gavin Weiss to snap a 1-1 tie. The team added four runs in the top of the sixth.

            The Braves recovered from a 6-4 extra-inning loss to Northampton in their tourney opener on Saturday, July 25. They squandered a 4-0 lead after five innings.

            The Bombers took advantage of four Upper Perk errors to score six unearned runs. They scored twice in the sixth, seventh and eighth innings. Aidan Keyser absorbed the loss, allowing two unearned runs over 1 2/3 innings in relief.

            Weiss, Upper Perk's starting pitcher, left the mound after five innings with a ...

            Ernie Quatrani, former manager of Perkiomen's American Legion baseball team, was inducted into the Pennsylvania American Legion Hall of Fame last weekend

Ernie Quatrani

in Ephrata. Quatrani and eight other inductees – including coaches, players and umpires – were feted during the annual banquet on Friday, July 23.

            Quatrani was honored for his efforts in leading two Legion teams. He collected 562 combined victories for Ardmore Manor and Perkiomen.

            During his acceptance speech, Quatrani attributed his success to his players, assistant coaches, a supportive family - including his wife Terry - and his parents, who introduced him to the game.

            Frank Mercon, who served as his assistant coach for 13 seasons on the Legion and Upper Perkiomen High School teams, described Quatrani as more than deserving.  "Ernie was completely honored and incredibly deserving," said Mercon, who nominated Quatrani last fall and attended the banquet, held on the eve of the opening of the Pennsylvania State Tournament.

            In 24 years managing Post 184, he compiled a record of 462-320, won three Bux-Mont League championships, made 22 playoff appearances and competed in eight Region 2 Tournaments. The Indians best finish came in 1991, when they finished second in Emmaus to perennial power Boyertown.

            In the 1970s, the Upper Hanover resident managed the Ardmore Manor, which played in the Main Line League in the 1970s. He led the team to three league titles and three Region 3 appearances and finished with a 100-46 record.

            According to Mercon, who succeeded Quatrani as head coach of Upper Perkiomen's baseball team following a 32-year stint at the school, his predecessor often ...