Callahan delivers as Phillies roll 7-4 in URA action

Phillies Liam Callahan had an outstanding game both at the plate and on the mound

URA provides thrilling games on Saturday docket with Phils/ Astros match up

By Dave Conard Sports Editor, UnionvilleTimes.com

EAST MARLBOROUGH—How many times have seen a major league player make a great catch, only to be the first player at bat to lead off the next inning?

On Saturday afternoon, 11-year old Liam Callahan flipped the switch on that scenario by delivering the big blow offensively before being called upon the close out the game on the mound for the Phillies in URA baseball action.

Callahan delivered a clutch two out two run single in the home fourth to put the Phillies up for good over a feisty Astros team who had posted two runs in the top of the fourth to knot the game at four, that much resembled the 1980 squad, of which they wear the throw back uniforms, that battled the Philadelphia Phillies in what was historic NLCS.

Phillies righty Liam Callahan closed out the win for his club recording two strike outs in the sixth inning

“I was glad to hit the ball hard and score two runs,” said Callahan, whose favorite player is Red Sox superstar Dustin Pedroia. “This was the best game we played as a team, we played really smart all game.”

Fueled by a great defensive effort by Nick Samulewicz and two quality at bats by Carson Shalaby, the Astros kept the pressure on up until the last out as the guests loaded the bases in the sixth inning to bring the winning run to the plate in the person of Kevin Henry.

With the game on the line in the sixth inning, Callahan responded by digging in on the mound and refusing to serve up anything across the middle of the plate to Jake Hornibrook or Henry.

After watching one of the Astros best hitters in Henry, foul off four pitches, Callahan finally got him to chase a fat ball away to end the game.

“I wasn’t pitching around any one,” added Callahan. “The batter before him worked that walk, I was sweating up a storm with him (Henry) up there. I know he is a good hitter, but I just had to bear down and try to get him out, this was a big win for us, now we have to get ready for the Giants.”