Maryland State played just well enough on Monday to send Schenectady to the loser’s bracket on a 5-2 decision at Franklin Field.
“It wasn’t pretty, but a win is a win,” conceded Columbia Reds manager Paul Donovan. “We just pitched a little better than they did, and we hit a little better than they did.”
Maryland scored all the runs it needed in the third inning. Ben Winter walked, and back-to-back singles from Austin Harclerode and Matt Schrader loaded the bases. Then, Josh Winter drove the ball to the center-field fence for a three-run double.
Schenectady answered with a run in the top of the fourth after Jordan Emerson walked, stole second, advanced on Dan Conley’s sacrifice fly and scored on David Raczka’s single.
But, the Reds restored their lead in the fifth, when Harclerode reached on a fielder’s choice, eventually scoring from second on Josh Winter’s single.
PNA got another run in the sixth. Conley’s singled, advanced on Raczka’s deep single to center and came home on a fielding error there.
The Reds loaded the bases again with none out in the seventh, but PNA starter Ken Cook eluded the danger without yielding a run. When Cook gave up a double to Luke Sawyer in the eighth, then walked Bryan Davila, his day was over.
Shawn McConnell took the mound and, after Sawyer scored on Austin Knight’s sacrifice, also loaded the bases before escaping.
Both managers agreed that pitching was the best part of the game.
“I thought both kids pitched extremely well,” Schenectady manager Todd Godlewski said. “(Cook) pitched out of a jam, that bases-loaded, no-out jam, and showed a lot of heart right there. He’s a very good pitcher, and their pitcher is a very good pitcher.”
Cook finished with three walks and five strikeouts. Reds starter Nick Cicio fanned seven and walked three before giving way to Matthew Tuthill after eight innings.
“He’s a good pitcher,” Donovan said of Cicio. “He has a lot of heart, and he’s a very nice kid.”
In all, the Reds stranded a dozen runners while PNA left seven.
“We just didn’t come up with key hits in key situations,” Godlewski said. “We had every opportunity; runners in scoring position in two or three innings, and we just didn’t come up with the big hit. It was a close game. We had runners on second and third and didn’t get the key hit there. We had runners at second a couple two, three times, and didn’t get a hit there. That’s what costs you ballgames.”
Sports
Pitching lifts Maryland State
- Sports
-
-
Former Chief excited to coach Tomahawks
Things couldn’t have worked out any better for Jason Spence.
The former Johnstown Chiefs player was looking for a chance to be a head coach.
And when the Alaska Avalanche of the North American Hockey League, a Tier II Junior A team, moved to Johnstown, it was the perfect opportunity for him. -
[VIDEO] Hockey team’s name a nod to history
Richard Bouchard hasn’t been in Johnstown long, but he knows how important hockey – and history – are to the Flood City.
-
Corridini’s hit propels Shade
Tasha Corridini had been having a tough time at the plate on Wednesday.
The Shade leftfielder had struck out twice in her prior two at-bats against Shanksville-Stonycreek pitcher Kayla Stockenus.
But in the bottom of the seventh of a scoreless game with Kaily Karl on first, Corridini clubbed a triple out to the fence, scoring Karl and giving the Panthers a walk-off 1-0 win over the Vikings in a District 5 Class A softball quarterfinal. -
Blue Devils oust No. 2 Blue Jays
From start to finish during Wednesday’s District 6 Class A softball semifinal at Conemaugh Valley High School, Bellwood-Antis coach Jim Payne preached intensity to his Blue Devils squad.
That intensity produced 15 hits, sharp defense and a rugged, celebratory dogpile behind home plate after the final out was recorded in Bellwood-Antis’ 12-1 win over No. 2 seed Conemaugh Valley. -
Redman ready to carry heavy load
They don’t celebrate NFL backups in southern New Jersey. Trust Isaac Redman on this.
When the Pittsburgh Steelers running back returned to his hometown of Paulsboro, N.J., during the offseason after his rookie year in the NFL in 2009, people just kind of shrugged their shoulders. - Local sports in brief 5/24/12
-
Pirates’ offensive woes continue
The Pirates’ offense once again didn’t support their strong pitching.
Pittsburgh limited the New York Mets to three runs but lost for the second consecutive day, held to five hits in a 3-1 defeat Wednesday. -
Niese, Mets beat Bucs
Jonathon Niese allowed one run in 7 2-3 innings, helping the New York Mets beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 3-1 Wednesday for their third win in four games.
-
Steelers RB Redman ready to carry heavy load
Pittsburgh Steelers running back Isaac Redman says his journey from rookie free agent to NFL starter has changed the way he’s received in his hometown of Paulsboro in southern New Jersey.
-
[VIDEO] Meet the Johnstown Tomahawks
Johnstown’s newest sports team will pay homage not only to the city’s proud hockey past, but also to the men and women who have served our country.
- More Sports Headlines
-
NFL player accused of trashing a Santa Fe rental home
Rosenthal: Yankees for sale?
An emotional Iverson returns to Philly
Melvin: 'We gotta swing the bats better'
GEICO SportsNite: Giants OTA
Garnett: 'Confidence is high' for Game 7
Hamels on Harper and free-agency
Fans prove they're not fair-weather fans
Manuel is helping the Phillies loosen up
Gordon: 'All in all I think I did well'
Parker: 'Change-up, slider was probably the best it's been all year'
4th Inning: Alex Rodriguez
UFC 146: Nelson ready for Herman
Auto Racing Fantasy Fx: Sits in 60
Marques: OKC/SA preview
'Redtails' actors talk sports
Struve looking for finish vs Johnson
76ers want more after Game 6
Devils push Rangers to brink
Keselowski ready for Charlotte
