Baseball is the kind of game that lends itself to a plethora of sports axioms. One could often use the "It's a game of inches" cliche when a batter tomahawks a pitch along the right field foul line, and it lands inches inside the line for a bases-clearing extra-base hit. It is also a game of inches when an attempted tag is not in time when a base runner swipes a bag.

Baseball is also a sport that embodies the saying, "On any given day."

Going back to May 31, in the District Three Class 5A semifinals Ephrata topped Donegal 11-1, forcing the Indians to eventually enter the PIAA 5A state playoffs as the fourth-seeded team from District Three.

On Thursday, June 9, however, Donegal eclipsed the Ephrata Mountaineers 5-4 in a quarterfinals game at Red Lion High School. The game ended on one of those close plays as freshman catcher Coy Allman threw out the Ephrata's Coy Schwanger - yes, one Coy threw out another - on an attempted steal as the Mountaineers attempted to mount a late rally.

Allman's battery mates - starter Nick Eichelberger and reliever Andrew Small - managed to hold Ephrata off while the offense took advantage of fielding errors.

"We knew Ephrata would make a run, but we held it together," Donegal head coach Jeff Hartman said. "Nick Eichelberger gutted out six innings and A.J. Small closed it out.

"We took advantage of some early miscues by Ephrata and had some timely hitting to take an early lead," continued the coach.

The Indians, who improved to 18-9 with the win, charged ahead to a 5-0 lead after three innings. The Mountaineers plated four runs in the fourth inning, but Eichelberger (4 strikeouts, 4 walks) was able to escape without giving up the equalizer.

Eichelberger also delivered at the plate, going 2-for-4 with a run batted in. Jonathan Holmes had an RBI double on the day. Allman, batting ninth, walked twice and scored a run while leadoff man Landen Baughman went 1-for-3 with a run.

"The Ephrata game was an 'instant classic,'" Hartman said. "There were tons of big plays and drama - great game to be part of and a great day for Donegal baseball. I'm very proud of our boys."

The Indians reached the quarterfinals with an 11-7 defeat of Southern Lehigh back on Monday, June 6 - a game where Holmes picked up the victory.

"The entire lineup contributed," Hartman said. "Johnny Holmes with his pitching and hitting."

Holmes not only picked up the win, but he also went 3-for-4 with a double and a solo home run. Landon Sexton had two hits, including a triple and drove in five. Colin Eckinger went 2-for-4 with two runs scored.

The victory over Ephrata moved Donegal into the state semifinals - a late afternoon game against Bethel Park at Mount Aloysius College on Monday, June 13.

The Black Hawks, the 2021 defending state champions, jumped out to a 5-0 lead through three innings. The Indians battled back and evened the score, including strong middle relief, a solo home run by Small plus a double and two RBIs by Allman. The game went into the final frame tied 5-5. The Hawks' three-run seventh inning gave the defending champs an 8-5 victory, ending the season for Donegal.

The final score did not change Hartman's opinion of the squad, however.

"Very rewarding season - proud of the entire team," he said. "This team set the bar, so I know 2023 team will go to work in the off-season and have specific goals."

Junior Landon Robertson had two hits, including a double, and drove in a run. Eichelberger went 1-for-4 with an RBI.

Small, Eichelberger, and Colin Eckinger are three seniors, who helped set the high standard for the program.

"They helped lead us all the way into the post season," Hartman said. "They did it with their play and leadership.

"What a run!" Hartman added. "We proved that we belonged and nearly pulled it off."