His teammates affectionately refer to him as ‘Bin-Bin.’ But on this day at least, he might as well have been called ‘Win-Win’.

Sunday was a very good day for Johnny Binner, a special one in fact. For rare is the day when a hurler records two pitching victories.

And both were playoff wins.

On Sunday, in a home-and-home doubleheader to open the Lebanon County American Legion baseball league’s Warren ‘Lefty’ Grumbine best-of-five championship series, Binner was the winning pitcher in both ends of the twinbill, as Campeblltown opened a commanding 2-0 lead on Myerstown.

In the morning opener at Palmyra High School, Binner came on in relief of starter Tyler Morder, pitched the final two innings and got the win when his mates rallied from a three-run deficit for a 5-3 win. Then  in the afternoon nightcap in Myerstown, Binner was the starter and winner, as he went the distance on a six-hitter, struck out one and walked one, in a 12-5 C-town triumph.

Binner, a sturdy righthnader, tossed 118 pitches on the day, and most importantly allowed his side to save arms for the rest of the series.
When Campbelltown completed its sweep the next day, Binner was named the championship series’ Most Valuable Pitcher. He should’ve been named the set’s Most Valuable Player.

– Jeff Falk