By HUGH CONRAD
Pitching can be vital in a five-game series, and it has been outstanding in the first two games of the AAABA championship series at Point Stadium.
Martella’s received an outstanding pitching performance from righthanded starter Mike Pelekanos, and along with an outstanding defense, keyed the squad to a 2-1 victory over Delweld Friday night to tie the series at 1-1.
Martella’s scored single runs in the first and fifth, and Delweld tallied its only run in the sixth to set up what now amounts to a best-of-three series.
After a loss Thursday night, Martella’s manager Chris Pfeil talked with his team. “I just told them to come back and play the same way we did all season,” Pfeil said about his team’s approach after a 3-2 loss on Thursday night. “We did not win 33 games this year by accident. We have a good baseball team, and we are playing a good baseball team. So, it is just a matter of coming out and getting base hits with guys in scoring position.”
Pelekanos scattered four hits and struck out two in picking up the win, and he understood the importance of the challenge he faced in Game 2. “Coming in, we had lost (Thursday) night and were down,” Pelekanos said.
“But getting this win should help us for the rest of the series.”
Martella’s scored both runs as a result of hit batsmen by Delweld starter Brett Vescovi.
Vescovi hit Chris Rasky with a pitch to open the bottom of the first, and Rasky was doubled home by designated hitter Pat Kohl for a 1-0 lead.
In the fifth, Rasky again was hit with a pitch, but this time it occurred with two outs.
Martella’s shortstop Sam Watkins then delivered an RBI-single to right, scoring Rasky for a 2-0 lead.
In the sixth, Delweld center fielder Spencer White reached base on a fielder’s choice and advanced to second on a wild pitch. White then scored on an RBI single by Matt Cornetti to narrow the advantage to 2-1.
Zach Satira came on in relief in the eighth and faced just six batters in holding off Delweld.
Delweld manager Chris DelSignore said that his players hit the ball, but credited Martella’s defense for making some outstanding plays.
“When you lose 2-1, every little thing becomes magnified,” DelSignore said. “We hit the ball well at times, but their outfield made some excellent plays out there.”
Watkins led Martella’s offense with a 2-for-4, one RBI effort. Cornetti was 1-for-3 with an RBI for Delweld.
The two teams will meet tonight at 7 at Point Stadium.
