Washington didn’t show any rust on Day 1 of the 64th AAABA Tournament following an extended layoff.
The McLean Raiders marched out to an early lead and never trailed in an 8-3 upper-bracket victory over New York at UPJ’s George R. Walter Field.
The Raiders scored two in the first inning and punched four more runs across the plate in the second.
Washington manager Eric Smith acknowledged it was gratifying to get an early lead.
“Especially coming off after a two-week rest,” Smith said. “A lot of these guys went home and haven’t picked up a bat or fielded a ground ball ... but most important, we got a W.”
Daniel Lopez walked and scored on a single by Wade Kirkland (2-for-5) off New York starter Kyle Dempsey. Chris Duffy promptly doubled home Kirkland for a 2-0 lead after one.
Lopez, Kirkland, Zach Maggard and Cassidy McDaniel each singled and scored in the second. Greg Bachman and Brandon Padula each drove in a run with a sacrifice fly. Bachman finished with a pair of RBIs.
Cortlandt, about 30 miles north of New York City in West Chester County, made it 6-1 after four innings and trimmed the Raiders’ lead to three runs through five.
Thomas Gilled walked and crossed home in the top of the fourth, and Michael O’Hanlon and Tommy Brennan scored the next at-bat. Dempsey had the lone hit of the fifth inning and Richie DePonto walked to force in Brennan.
“The kids stayed in it,” New York manager Tom Brennan said. “They played well, no errors. We just needed a couple more clutch hits.
“Our pitchers threw strikes, they had a couple hit batters. But other than that, we would have been right in the game.”
Washington added two insurance runs in the home half of the seventh for a five-run lead.
Padula was hit by a pitch, stole second and scored on a Cassidy McDaniel single. Maggard singled and scored on a wild pitch.
McDaniel had a pair of singles and a double to left.
“He was 3-for-4 with an RBI,” Smith said of his designated hitter. “He did a good job for us.”
Washington left-hander Brett Williams started and lasted 42⁄3 innings. Williams allowed three runs on three hits and struck out seven before he was lifted in the fifth in favor of Michael Manfro. Manfro pitched 31⁄3 innings of scoreless relief to earn the win and Tyler Sanders tossed a near-perfect ninth, allowing a walk.
Ryan Elsasser had two of New York’s five hits.
Washington will face Baltimore in the winner’s bracket while New York gets Livonia in the loser’s pool.
Sports
Raiders not rusty despite long layoff
- 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
