Welcome back: Campbell wins regional berth

The Red Devils beat Warren JFK for their first district title since 1999.
By RYAN JONES
VINDICATOR CORRESPONDENT
STRUTHERS -- Campbell Memorial High's baseball team battled past Warren John F. Kennedy 4-0 Wednesday at Cene Park to capture its first district title since 1999.
The teams combined for just nine hits in the pitchers' duel.
"Personally this feels great because we have not accomplished this since 1999," said Campbell coach Wayne Zetts, who has won five district championships. "The kids have never experienced anything like this so I'm sure this is equally great for them."
Early advantage
The Red Devils scored two runs in each of the first two innings.
In the first inning, leadoff batter Jason Metzka reached on an error and advanced to third when a pickoff attempt was thrown away.
Lou Siminos followed with an RBI single to right, stole second and advanced to third on Mark Such's flyout. Anthony Zembillas walked and then executed a double steal, allowing Siminos to score from third.
Justin Vrona doubled to start the second and moved to second on a walk. Mark Quinn bunted for a hit to move Vrona to third. Metzka followed by hitting into a fielder's choice, scoring Vrona. Quinn later scored on a wild pitch to make it 4-0.
Kennedy pitcher Stan Hoover would not surrender another run, but the damage was done.
Campbell pitcher Rick Quinn did the rest.
Shouldering the load
"Right before game time we decided that Ricky was going to be the man," Zetts said. "I told him we needed an outstanding performance."
Quinn responded with a complete game shutout, striking out five while allowing five hits.
"He threw strikes all night long and only threw 77 pitches," Zetts said. "I can't ask for anything more from a kid."
The Red Devil defense matched the show on the mound, producing 13 groundball outs.
"We did well as a team on defense; we turned two key double plays," said Zetts.
Warren JFK Don Lee was disappointed with the loss.
"I was surprised we didn't hit [Quinn] today, but that's baseball," he said. "Some days it just happens that you can't hit. We expected to go farther; this is a tough loss for the kids."