DANVILLE -- Danville tennis coach Mary Jo Baum said Sunday night that seniors Peter Blankenship and Greg Bowser will not play in today's District 4 singles semifinals, opting instead to play in next week's doubles tournament.
Blankenship and Bowser, state qualifiers in doubles a year ago, would have earned spots at states in singles if either won a semifinal match this afternoon. PIAA rules prohibit a player from participating in singles and doubles at states.
Instead, the duo chose not to play today, meaning Montoursville's David Brown and Central Columbia's Kyle Knittle will play for the title at 2 p.m. at Bloomsburg University. Both Brown and Knittle will also advance to states.
The Ironmen No. 1 and No. 2 singles players advanced through three rounds on the first day of the tournament Saturday to qualify for Day 2.
Blankenship, the No. 6 seed, pasted Bloomsburg preliminary winner Chadd Lee in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2 in his opener. Bowser, despite facing the No. 8 seed, had almost as easy an opener, topping Jersey Shore's Devin Racheal, 6-4, 6-2.
Another pair of straight set wins in the second round, Blankenship 6-1, 6-1 over Dylan Christman of Wellsboro and Bowser 7-6. 6-4 over Muncy's Noah Sterngold, propelled the Ironmen into the quarterfinals, the last round of the day.
In the quarters, Bowser knocked off Montoursville's Jason Mifsud -- who routed the tourney's No. 1 seed Frankie Casale of Loyalsock in straight sets during round 2 -- again winning in straight sets, 6-4, 6-1.
Blankenship battled No. 3-seeded Dakota Deem from Muncy in a three-setter. After dropping the first set 3-6, Blankenship rolled to a 6-2 second-set win then blanked Deem in the final set to advance.
Blankenship would have faced No. 2-seeded David Brown from Montoursville. Bowser would have faced the No. 5 seed, Central Columbia's Kyle Knittle.
High school softball
DANVILLE -- It only took the Ironmen six innings to rack up 19 hits and 11 runs in an 11-1 mercy-rule win over Vo-Tech on Saturday.
Danville's Angie Lynn and Alisha Kirkner each had perfect 4-for-4 days at the plate. Lynn doubled and Kirkner doubled and drove in four runs. Sara Mullen, who scored three times, and Kylee Dragano were each 3-for-4 against the Rams.
Lynn pitched the complete game, scattering six hits and withstanding three Danville errors.
Katie Mazol added a 2-for-4 day swinging the bat for the Ironmen.
Sports
Duo will wait for doubles
Ironmen Blankenship, Bowser turn down Day 2 play at District 4 tourney
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