JOHNSTOWN —
The runs that provided the eventual difference in Buffalo’s 4-1 win over the Zanesville Junior Pioneers Monday morning at Point Stadium didn’t come across in the most conventional manner, but that’s just fine as far as Team New Era is concerned.
Buffalo scored a go-ahead run in the seventh on a squeeze bunt and added the insurance in the eighth when Joe Polichetti was hit by a pitch and Travis Denman drew a walk.
The win advances Buffalo to play Toledo while Zanesville draws New Orleans in an elimination-round game.
Team New Era was buoyed on the mound by starter Rob Nalepa, who tossed eight innings and scattered seven hits before giving way to closer Jon Kline in the ninth.
Buffalo, which grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second when Polichetti tripled off the wall in center and scored on a sacrifice fly by Denman, took the lead back in the seventh when Polichetti doubled and moved to third on Steve Karnyski’s single to left. Cody Stonish – a replacement in left field to start the seventh – brought Polichetti in when he dropped a squeeze bunt down the first-base line that gave the Buffalo catcher just enough time to get home before Alex Cutlice’s throw made it to the plate.
“(Stonish) is a good little contact hitter and bunter. I was looking for a run late and we needed to break it open a bit,” Buffalo manager Chuck Righetti said.
Buffalo kept the Pioneers on their toes in the eighth when Mike Hackett and Jesse Kelso each reached on balls that did not leave the infield. A walk to Justin Urschel loaded the bases and ended Josh Dotson’s day.
Dotson took the loss and gave up four runs, three earned, while allowing seven hits and fanning one batter.
“We played a few games like that this year,” Zanesville manager Doug Pollock said. “We were close in the last innings, then we go to sleep for a play or two and it hurts us. I thought our pitcher (Dotson) did a great job, exactly what we needed him to do: Get into the eighth inning.”
With reliever Joe Jenkins in, Buffalo scored its final two runs when Polichetti was nicked by a pitch before Denman drew a walk.
Kline allowed a two-out single to Mike Newsom before catching Wade Kaido looking to end the day.
Newsom, Cutlice and Zack Pollock each had two hits for the Junior Pioneers.
Polichetti was the only Buffalo batter with multiple hits.
Sports
Related Photos
-
Zanesville center fielder Zane Pollock can’t come up with a ball that hit off the wall during the second inning on Monday during his team’s 4-1 loss to Buffalo. Joseph Polichetti tripled on the play and later scored. Submitted Photo
-
Buffalo's Joseph Polichetti celebrates scoring in the second inning. Submitted Photo
Discussion
Buffalo squeezes by Zanesville
- Sports
-
-
Pirates pick up fourth straight victory
There were times earlier in his career when James McDonald would run into trouble and innings would slow to a crawl. Even worse, runners would disappear, and not in a good way.
Too much thinking. Not enough attacking. -
AAABA League will open after busy offseason
The AAABA League opens on Tuesday at Point Stadium with two new, but familiar managers, a new but familiar sponsor, an expanded interleague schedule and two new franchises committed to the 2013 season.
A lot of activity took place during the offseason, including the AAABA national committee’s vote to expand the age limit to 21 years old beginning in 2013. -
AAABA League Preview
A look at this season's Johnstown AAABA League:
-
2012 AAABA League schedule
A look at this season's schedule:
-
2011 AAABA in Review
A look back at the 2011 AAABA season:
-
Sympathetic Pirates add to Cubs’ slide
Andrew McCutchen and the Pittsburgh Pirates can relate to what the Chicago Cubs are going through.
Perhaps more than anyone, they know what it feels like to be on an extended losing streak
– 12 in a row, in the Cubs’ case. -
Richland's Lumley settles for pair of silver medals
Paige Lumley was on an emotional roller coaster and seeing silver on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Richland senior had state record jumps twice during the triple jump competition, but ended up with a silver–medal leap of 40 feet,
1¾ inches.
Defending state champion, second-seeded junior Lanae Newsome of Brookville, won with a jump of 40-3½. -
Ridge’s Dull takes second with school-record time
Matt Dull finished his athletic career with his best on Saturday at the PIAA Track and Field Championships at Shippensburg University.
The Chestnut Ridge senior ran a career-best time of 38.12 to finish second in the 300 hurdles final, also setting another school record. -
Hit batsman lifts Pirates over Cubs
Matt Hague was hit by a pitch from Rafael Dolis with the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth inning, and the Pittsburgh Pirates sent the Chicago Cubs to their 11th straight loss with a 3-2 victory Saturday night.
Hague took a 96 mph fastball from Dolis (2-4) in the back near the shoulder blade, scoring Jose Tabata and eliciting an incredulous look to the sky by the Cubs reliever. -
Generals return to defeat Sting
It’s been a dramatic month for the Johnstown Generals.
There were two postponed games that left the immediate and long-term future of the franchise in serious doubt just two weeks ago. - More Sports Headlines
-
Stanley Cup Preview: Key Matchups
Kendall: Indy 500 recap
Celtics crush Sixers in Game 7
Montero signs extension
On the Record: Anna Tunnicliffe
Highlights: History 300
NASCAR on FOX: Charlotte preview
Devils head to the Stanley Cup Finals
French Open Preview: Women's draw
French Open Preview: Men's draw
Controversial Show Offers Alternative Listening for Women During Stanley Cup Finals
Tebow Teased by Jets Teammates Over Virginity, Lolo Jones
Jets learn Sparano's offense
1st Inning: Hakeem Nicks
Tweet Talkback: Brandon Jennings
QB Kafka gaining valuable experience
Showalter and Arrieta on the loss to the Red Sox
Jenkins: 'I think I won'
D'Brickashaw Ferguson
Horrow: Steinbrenner's know what they have
