Johnstown’s Delweld took the five-time defending AAABA Tournament champions to the limit on Thursday night at Point Stadium.
But Youse’s Maryland Orioles of Baltimore did what the most successful franchise in tournament history does so well. Baltimore found a way to defeat an upstart Delweld team 4-3 despite two inside-the-park homers by Tom Burkett and an outstanding outing by 19-year-old Gregg Bandzuh.
“It was a hell of a year and I’m proud of these kids,” Delweld manager Rick Roberts said after his team closed a 2-2 tournament.
Baltimore manager Dean Albany, whose 3-1 squad faces Zanesville at noon at Roxbury, felt Johnstown put forth a more determined effort than the 25-time champions.
“We should have lost. Johnstown deserved to win the game,” Albany said. “If we play like that (today), we’ll be going home. We came out flat. There’s no reason to come out flat when thousands of people are out there. They played their tails off. They made a couple errors that cost them the game but they deserved to win in my opinion. They played hard the whole game and hustled. We didn’t.”
The right-handed Bandzuh, a pick-up player from Principle Development, retired nine straight at one point and left with a 3-1 lead after seven innings.
“Gregg Bandzuh pitched unbelievable,” Roberts said. “The reason he came out was because he started cramping up. It was a health issue. What can I say? The kid went out there and threw awesome. He was facing all Division I kids and getting ground ball after ground ball.”
Bandzuh wasn’t intimidated despite facing a roster of Division I players from Clemson, Monmouth, Old Dominion, LSU, Towson, Maryland and Georgia Tech.
“I knew it was going to be tough and I just tried to keep it like a regular game,” Bandzuh said. “I went out and did my game-day routine. I went at it and battled. I felt good. No doubt about it. Everything was working. I battled. In the end, it fell short.”
Burkett continued one of the most amazing offensive performances in Johnstown history by stroking two inside-the-park homers. The first was a two-run blast that hit the top of the brick wall in left-center and bounced back in. The second was hit to the deepest part of center in front of the 410-foot sign.
Burkett had a string of four homers and a triple in six at-bats including his last three appearances Wednesday against Cleveland.
“It was a great feeling coming in that second time when everyone was storming out on the field and the crowd was all excited,” said Burkett, a pick-up from GMI Renegades.
“The first one, I wasn’t sure. I was rounding first and I looked up and saw it bounce. I thought it was going over. Then I saw (center fielder Leon Landry) turn and start running towards right center. Coach just kept wheeling me home and I kept running.”
Baltimore’s Patrick Long doubled and scored on Tyler Hibbs’ single in the seventh.
The Orioles added three in the eighth to lead 4-3. Gerald Hall walked and advanced when reliever Kody Reighard’s pick-off attempt was wild. Reighard induced a ground out that moved Hall to third. He scored on a wild pitch.
After a strikeout, Mike Celenza walked, and Long singled. Patrick Blair greeted reliever Andrew DiNardo with a game-tying double. Hibbs’ grounder got away from third baseman Seth Roy, allowing Long to score.
“They gave us one too many lives,” Albany said of Johnstown’s five errors. “You can’t keep giving teams like us chances. Eventually we’re going to get lucky and take advantage. But they played hard. They have a young team and will be good for years to come.”
Sports
Related Photos
-
Delweld’s Matt Cornetti (left) is tagged out at second base by Baltimore shortstop Gerald Hall during the third inning of their AAABA Tournament game on Thursday at Point Stadium in Johnstown. John Tanish
Discussion
Delweld pushes defending champs to the limit
- 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
-
Knick's Anthony on NY Life, Linsanity, New Role
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
