Irwin's no-hit bid falls short, but Mooney wins
STRUTHERS -- Behind the pitching and hitting of Joe Irwin, the Mooney High baseball team defeated LaBrae 5-1 in a Division III district semifinal game at Cene Park Thursday.
The Cardinals (21-4) will play Springfield in the title contest today at 5 p.m.
Irwin had a no-hitter for the first 6 1/3 innings before a pinch-hit double over first base by Alvin Horne broke it up. After Irwin got the second out on a pop foul, Eric Hart reached first on an infield single for the second hit. A double steal then broke up the shutout, before Irwin struck out his 10th batter to finish the game.
"This was one of Joe's normal outings for us," said Mooney coach Steve Leslie. "I have a lot of confidence in him. He is one of our senior leaders. He was outstanding from the first inning to the seventh."
Doing it all
Irwin (6-2) also hit a pair of doubles, while Jon Grist had a pair of singles and scored three runs for the Cardinals.
"I felt pretty good, I was just trying to throw strikes, and my defense was playing great so I just let them make plays," said Irwin.
Irwin needed just 83 pitches and walked only one batter.
Both of his doubles were to the opposite field, the first down the left field line in the first inning, and the second to left center leading off the fifth.
LaBrae (9-9) also did not have a good day in the field as the Vikings committed seven errors that led to a pair of unearned runs. Jason Frederick (3-2) went the first five innings and allowed seven hits. He had three strikeouts.
Mooney scored the first run in the second inning without using a hit. Grist was safe leading off on a two-base throwing error and scored when a ball hit by Shane Gallagher was also mishandled.
"I think it is important in the tournament to get up early," said Leslie. "I think maybe the kids are a little tight. We settled down after the first couple of innings."
Breathing room
Grist singled to lead off the fourth and Tony Brunetti followed with a bunt single. Gallagher then bunted and was safe on a throwing error with Grist scoring on the play. Josh Moffie singled home a second run giving the Cards a 3-0 lead.
"This was not one of our better offensive performances," said Leslie. "We have to make people pay for making mistakes on defense. Their kid [Frederick] did a good job of changing speeds and we were a little impatient early, but we were able to capitalize on some of their mistakes."
Irwin doubled to lead off the fifth and scored on a one out-hit by Grist, who scored the final run on a single by Gallagher.
The Vikings had only two base runners in the first five innings, both reaching on errors in the first and second innings. Irwin retired the side in order for the next three inning before issuing a one-out walk in the sixth.
Asked about Springfield, Leslie said: "They are a real good baseball team. We have to come ready to play. No one is going to lay down for you in a district final. We will have our hands full."