Poland blanks Girard

The Bulldogs earned a rematch with top-seeded Canfield in a Division II district semifinal.
By BRIAN RICHESSON
VINDICATOR SPORTS STAFF
POLAND -- Reid Lamport was close to securing a shutout when he began to feel heat from over his shoulder.
The Poland High senior pitcher was standing on the mound at his home field Thursday, yet that didn't stop opposing fans, sitting along the third base line, from shouting orders to him and the umpires.
Lamport's uniform had come untucked, much to the dismay of Girard's fans, who wanted to see the blue and white clothing stuffed back inside the pitcher's pants.
"When the other fans are yelling at me, I love it," said Lamport, who was teased by his teammates about the incident after the game. "It motivates me to go out there and pitch better."
The home plate umpire responded in the sixth inning by having Poland players tend to their uniforms. That may have been the only thing that slowed Lamport and the Bulldogs all day.
In control
Lamport tossed a three-hit complete game with 10 strikeouts to lead Poland past Girard 7-0 and into a Division II district semifinal against Metro Athletic Conference rival Canfield.
"His last three or four outings have been just like that," Poland's first year coach, Rich Murray, said. "He's keeping the ball low and he's throwing hard. He's just confident right now."
The right-handed Lamport (5-1) allowed a first-inning single to Girard leadoff batter Ryan Collins, but after that he settled into a rhythm. At one point, he retired eight straight batters.
"I got loose after that first inning," Lamport said. "I just keep [teams] off balance with my curveball and slider and come back with my fastball when they're not expecting it."
Lamport nearly lost the shutout in the seventh inning when Greg Barton singled and Nick Canterino doubled, putting runners at second and third. Lamport secured the 100-pitch shutout with a strikeout and groundout.
"Their pitcher did a good job. He was ahead in the count on everyone, except for maybe two or three batters," said Girard coach Sam Racketa, who felt his team was still feeling the effect of an emotional Trumbull Athletic Conference loss to Newton Falls the previous night.
Offense in gear
Poland balanced its 11 hits throughout the game. Senior Bill Christian singled three times while senior Brett Pitzulo and juniors Dom Marchionda and Adam Wigley had two hits apiece. Christian, Pitzulo and Wigley each added two RBIs.
"We're hitting the ball well now," Murray said. "We've got a solid lineup one through nine."
The Bulldogs started the season 1-4, but head to the district tournament with just five losses. After splitting the regular season series with Canfield, fourth-seeded Poland and the top-seeded Cardinals will play again next Thursday at Cene Park.
"Any time you put those schools together, with our history, it's like a championship," Murray said.
richesson@vindy.com