Bulldogs turn back Girard to advance

Lou Coppola went the distance to earn the victory for Poland.
POLAND -- With its offense firing on all cylinders, the Poland High baseball team cruised to a 15-6 triumph over Girard in a Division II sectional final game.
Next Wednesday, Poland will play Niles in a district semifinal game at Cene Park in Struthers.
The Bulldogs scored four runs in the third and sixth innings and five in the seventh.
"We hit the ball tonight," coach Rich Murray said. "We know we can field the ball and we know we can pitch. When we are hitting, it is a sign that good things are to come."
Poland strengthened its 6-2 advantage with four runs in the sixth.
Frank Larubbio and Dom Marchionda both reached on errors to begin the sixth inning.
Jim Pasquine lined a RBI single to left that pushed Larubbio home from third. Tom Clayton followed with a single to right that plated Marchionda.
After an Adam Wigley walked loaded the bases, Jimmy Petrolla knocked in Pasquine and Clayton by way of a two-run double to make the score 10-2.
Comeback attempt
Pitcher Lou Coppola held the Girard offense scoreless from second to the fifth innings. The Indians finally broke through in the bottom of the sixth with two runs.
Murray was not surprised that Girard began to mount a comeback.
"The have some good hitters at the top of the order and they were able to string some hits together," Murray said.
Even though Coppola gave up some runs late, Murray was pleased with his performance.
"We we're happy with the way that Lou came out and threw today," Murray said.
Coppola went the distance to earn the win.
Clayton lined a two-run single to left that scored Jim Kozlow and Pasquine, who reached base by way of Girard errors.
Petrolla came up with his third RBI of contest on a single to right field that plated Clayton from third.
The Indians made a one last attempt to comeback as they loaded the bases in the seventh before Coppola struck out the final two batters.