Wednesday, April 30, 2008
By Jim Flick
The key to the Rockets’ win was a six-run second inning aided by five errors.
STRUTHERS — Lowellville claimed the opener of a key Inter Tri-County League showdown with Western Reserve Tuesday, defeating the Blue Devils, 8-3, at Cene Park.
The key to the Rockets’ win was a six-run second inning that included only two hits by Lowellville but five errors by Western Reserve.
When the game was over, Western Reserve outhit Lowellville, 5-4, but committed six errors to just two for Lowellville.
Lowellville scored the game’s first run in the bottom of the first without the benefit of a hit. Center fielder Vince Travaline walked, stole second and advanced to third base on a groundout by catcher Jim Sudon. Mike DeMetro, Lowellville’s left fielder, was hit by a pitch and took first base. But DeMetro stayed there for only a couple of pitches before he stole second.
But stealing the base was a secondary goal. With the Blue Devils distracted by DeMetro’s dash to second, Travaline stole home, putting the Lowellville in front 1-0.
Western Reserve outfielder Tom Burton doubled to left-center in the top of the second. Burton advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on a sacrifice fly by first baseman Nick Timko to tie the score at 1-1.
Lowellville broke the game open in the bottom of the second. Cody Vocature, the Rockets’ starting pitcher, walked and then stole second. He advanced to third on an errant pick-off attempt and scored when third baseman Dave Harris singled up the middle.
After an error by Western Reserve, with two runners aboard and two out, Sudon singled to center, driving home two more runs. Three more errors by the Blue Devils pushed three more Lowellville runs across the plate. The Western Reserve misplays allowed Lowellville to boost its led to 7-1 after two innings.
Western Reserve loaded the bases with two outs in the fifth, but could only score one run. In fact, that run came without the benefit of a hit, as shortstop Gabe Gaudet dashed home on a wild pitch.
The Blue Devils scored another run in the sixth, on a hit by John Gora, to cut Lowellville’s lead to 7-3.
But Lowellville struck back, scoring the final run of the game in the bottom of the sixth. Travaline led off by smashing a triple to right field. The Rockets’ center fielder scored on Sudon’s infield groundout.
Scoring runs at the expense of the opponent’s defense is part of the game, said Lowellville coach Chuck Cormell.
“You got to put the ball into play and make them play defense,” he said. “Today, we put the ball into play and got some lucky breaks.”
While he was disappointed in his team’s defensive misplays, Western Reserve coach Mike Kopachy said he was encouraged by his team’s character under pressure.
“I was very impressed by the way the kids came back and battled to cut that lead,” he said. “The fact that they didn’t give up tells me we still have shot at this.”
Western Reserve and Lowellville are scheduled to battle again today.
“These are two good teams and I expect we’ll have a tough battle” in the rematch, Cormell remarked.