SECTIONAL BASEBALL Conkey helps Ursuline advance

The Irish defeated Brookfield 6-3 in a Division III game at Cene Park.
By PAUL TRGOVAC
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
STRUTHERS -- Josh Conkey threw a complete-game four-hitter to propel the Ursuline High baseball team to a 6-3 victory over Brookfield in the Division III sectional tournament Tuesday at Cene Park.
"We play a tough schedule, which prepares us for the tournament," Ursuline coach Sean Durkin said. "We had hoped to have a better regular season, but we are going to try to turn it around to make up for the regular season."
Conkey (3-2) allowed one earned run, striking out nine and walking none.
Ursuline (6-15) advances to Monday's sectional final against third-seeded Pymatuning Valley.
"Josh [Conkey] is one of our leaders," Durkin said. "He has pitched solid all year long."
Conkey also had two hits, including a double, scored three runs and stole two bases. Catcher Brad Borghetti had three triples and two RBIs for Ursuline.
For Brookfield (6-13), losing pitcher Nate Harnett (1-6) allowed five runs on eight hits in five innings, striking out four. He also had a triple and scored two runs for the Warriors. David Stanish added a triple and a single and two RBIs.
Even early
Ursuline scored first as Conkey hit a one-out double and Panezich followed with an RBI triple in the third inning.
"Cliff [Panezich] has been hot," Durkin said. "Moving him to the No. 3 spot in the order has been good for us. He has been getting ahead in the count and driving the ball."
Conkey struck out the first five Warrior hitters and was perfect through the first two innings.
Dan Bayus singled to start the third and Rick Horning followed with a sacrifice bunt, which was mishandled, allowing Bayus to move to third. Brian Daugherty's RBI groundout then tied the game.
Moving ahead
The Irish regained the lead when Ryan Coffey hit a two-out triple in the fourth inning to score Pat Smith. Coffey scored on a passed ball.
Brookfield cut the deficit to 3-2 in the bottom of the inning as Harnett reached on an error and David Stanish tripled him home with one out.
Conkey led off the Ursuline fifth with a single and stole second. Panezich tripled him home and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Brad Borghetti. The Irish added an unearned run in the seventh inning on two Brookfield errors.
Brookfield scored their last run in the sixth. Harnett hit a one-out triple and Stanish followed with an RBI single to make it 6-3.
"We gave them some chances, then either Josh would stop them or we made a play to get out of the inning," Durkin said.