New Orleans tops Chicago in Game 1 of regional

Sports

Discussion

August 9, 2008

By CORY ISENBERG The Tribune-Democrat Sat Aug 09, 2008, 12:20 AM EDT

The first win in the AAABA Tournament is always a big one.

New Orleans put Chicago Metro squarely behind the eight-ball Friday night with a 6-1 victory in their best-of-3 AAABA regional game at Point Stadium.

The winner of the regional will earn the final spot in the 64th annual AAABA Tournament field, with games set to begin Monday.

“I think we had a little bit of nerves coming out here on our first night at the Point, in the first game of the tournament,” New Orleans manager Brady Benoit said. “Overall I was very pleased with our team.”

The two teams will meet again at 11 a.m. today at the Point, with the third game to follow if needed.

“We’re in some trouble,” Chicago manager Andy Sherwood said. “It’s pretty much do or die. We didn’t drive the whole way out here to go home on Sunday, at least we don’t want to. We have to come out and play up to our ability.”

The Louisiana squad got a strong pitching performance Friday from Andrew Velez, who threw a complete game scattering five hits with four strikeouts, two hit batsmen and no walks.

“Everything was working for me,” Velez said. “It’s a good night when everything is working for you. That doesn’t happen too much. I felt good and relaxed on the mound and was ready to go.

“I love being out here. It’s a great ballfield and a great atmosphere.”

New Orleans got on the scoreboard in the first as Chicago starter Mike Kloss walked Cass Hargis and Michael Liberto, the first two batters he faced.

A double steal moved both runners up. Hargis scored on a Max Lidet single and Liberto came home on a sacrifice fly by Jordan Poirrier for a 2-0 lead.

“We know that Andrew is going to throw strikes, if we can get him runs early, it just puts a lot more pressure on the other team,” Benoit said. “Andrew sets the tone on the mound. And with our defense, we want the other team swinging.”

New Orleans added to its lead in the third as Hargis led off with a single and moved to second when Chicago right fielder Jeff Grodecki lost the ball in the lights, allowing Liberto to reach base.

Chandler Laurent’s sacrifice bunt moved Hargis and Liberto into scoring position and Lidet’s single scored both runners.

The Glen Ellyn Jam scored their run on a single by Spenser Augustine, a ground-out and a single by Steve Hlavac.

New Orleans added a pair of runs in the eighth on an error, a Kirk Cunningham single and a double to the left screen by Brett Palermo.

“I think we need to do a better job with runners on base,” Benoit said. “We left too many men on base (seven) and I thought we could have put them away earlier.”

According to Bob Wolfe, the AAABA secretary/executive director, Johnstown last hosted a regional in the mid-1960’s.

Text Only | Photo Reprints

Sports

Bedford goes to Class AA quarterfinals by thumping first-time participant Western Wayne
Bedford was making its fifth straight appearance in the PIAA Class AA Dual-Meet Championships on Thursday.

February 10, 2012 1 Photo
Steelers introduce Haley as offensive coordinator
Throughout the 16 minutes that followed him glowingly introducing former Kansas City Chiefs coach Todd Haley as his new offensive coordinator, Pittsburgh Steelers coach Mike Tomlin stood proudly in the corner of the second-floor media room at the team’s facility.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
College basketball in brief
A closer look at Thursday night's men's and women's college basketball games:

February 9, 2012
High School Basketball in Brief
A closer look at Thursday's boys and girls high school basketball games:

February 9, 2012
Steelers introduce Haley as offensive coordinator
Stressing his ties to the organization and his reverence for its tradition, Todd Haley was officially introduced today as the Pittsburgh Steelers’ new offensive coordinator.

February 9, 2012 1 Photo
Winter Classic matchup set: Red Wings and Maple Leafs to play at Big House
Next year’s Winter Classic could set an attendance record.

February 9, 2012
UVA murder case: Officer describes beaten, bruised lacrosse player
The first officer to arrive at the apartment of a slain University of Virginia lacrosse player says he thought he was responding to an alcohol overdose but quickly discovered the woman had been bruised and bloodied.

February 9, 2012
Cabrera-Bello shoots 63 in Dubai; McIlroy 3 back
Rafael Cabrera-Bello made nine birdies in his first 11 holes to finish at 9-under 63 today for a two-shot lead after the first round of the Dubai Desert Classic.

February 9, 2012
Ex-Steeler Holmes staying with Jets
A clause in receiver Santonio Holmes’ five-year, $45 million contract with the New York Jets, signed last offseason, kicked in Wednesday morning.

February 9, 2012
Penn State men absorb fifth straight loss
Penn State refused to be routed the first time No. 11 Michigan State had a chance to pull away for an easy victory.
The Nittany Lions, though, couldn’t stay consistent enough to keep their comeback hopes alive.

February 8, 2012 1 Photo
More Sports Headlines

Now that the NFL season is officially over, what sporting events are you most looking forward to?

Sports

Search Results

Discussion

New Orleans tops Chicago in Game 1 of regional

Now that the NFL season is officially over, what sporting events are you most looking forward to?

Contact Us