Metros untracked in tourney after late rally falls short, 7-5

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. -- Ross Buttle came through in his only opportunity.
Still, it wasn't enough to save Youngstown Metros.
Buttle hit a pinch-hit home run with two outs in the ninth inning, but Metros' rally against Lansing, Mich., fell short in the AAABA tournament, 7-5, Wednesday at Roxbury Park.
Metros began the ninth inning needing three runs to tie, but Lansing pitcher Mike Brown closed out his complete game by allowing just the one run.
The loss eliminated Metros from the tournament.
Early lead: Metros took a 3-0 first-inning lead, highlighted by Frank Santore's RBI double. But Lansing began its rally with two runs in the fourth and three more in the fifth off Metros starting pitcher Adam Oshnock.
Oshnock, who took the loss, allowed five runs (two earned) on five hits in 4 2-3 innings, with three walks and five strikeouts. He was relieved by Santore, who allowed two earned runs on two hits in his 3 1/3 innings. Santore walked one and struck out three.
After the first inning, Metros mustered single runs in the seventh and ninth inning -- solo homers by Caleb Goist and Buttle, respectively.
Joe Vrona had two hits, including a double, to lead Metros.
John MacLeod added two hits for Lansing.