JIM PENNA
For The Tribune-Democrat
JOHNSTOWN —
Chris Brown has played baseball in eight countries, including England, Holland and Egypt, but the Rice University player/coach likes what he has found in Johnstown.
His Owls certainly made themselves at home with a 5-2 win over Western State of Colorado Saturday during an elimination game in the National Club Baseball Association’s Division II World Series at Point Stadium.
“I’ll tell you what, this is a great stadium and a neat place to play ball,” Brown said.
“In London most of the fields are like dirt and a snow fence in the outfield. I did play on artificial turf in Brussels, but I am the only guy on the team who has ever played on turf.”
The game was played in a very London-like steady rain that forced a delay with the Owls down 2-1 in the fifth inning.
“I think it changed the momentum of the game,” Western State coach Chris Martinez said. “We just seem to come out tight, without our normal focus, and the one bad inning cost us.”
Rice senior Joseph Cialone made Western State pay with a crushing double to center field that brought in two runs.
Cialone later scored as part of the four-run fifth for the Owls. Cialone credited a loose clubhouse during the delay as well as a personal comfort strategy in turning the game around.
“These guys were playing games in there, laughing it up,” Cialone said. “Everyone was loose and relaxed. I didn’t play any games. I spent most of my time drying my uniform. I wanted to be comfortable when I got to the plate. I guess it worked.”
Brown is happy to stay in Johnstown another day and from his international perspective, the baseball here is world class.
“Well I have played all over,” he said.
“There aren’t many I like more than this place. Believe it or not, Egypt has the most American-style ballparks and they play year-round, but this place and its history are right up there with the best, especially when you win 5-2. As for the rain, yeah it was like being back in the U.K., so yeah, I was right at home.”
