R&J eliminates top-seeded Rondinelli, 2-1

R&J will face Astro Falcons or Dave Sugar Excavating, whose game was postponed by bad weather.

STRUTHERS — Joe Wielbruda’s bases-loaded single with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning drove home the winning run as R J Trucking defeated Rondinelli Tuxedo, 2-1, and eliminated the top seed in the Class B playoffs Sunday at Cene Park.

R J will face either the Astro Falcons or Dave Sugar Excavating in the best-of-five championship series.

Sunday’s game between Astro and Sugar was postponed by rain and lightning. It will be resumed today at 6 p.m., with Astro leading 3-2 in the first inning. Astro leads the series 1-0.

For R J, Jared Barker went the distance for the win, allowing just four hits. Barker had five strikeouts and did not walk a batter and allowed only one runner in the last six innings.

Kevin McCollugh had two of Rondinelli’s hits.

Evan Campbell and Wielbruda had two hits for R J, with one of Campbell’s being a double.

Cory McGinnis went seven plus innings for Rondinelli, allowing only one run with five strikeouts.

Three walks in the bottom of the ninth set up Wielbruda’s hit between shortstop and third.

Little b

STRUTHERS — Rondinelli scored three times in the top of the fifth inning to come from behind to defeat Wharmby Sports, 5-3, to clinch their series in two games.

Jake Double had two hits, including a double in the fifth that scored a pair of runs. Eddie Reese added a pair of hits and got the win in relief, pitching 42‚Ñ3 scoreless innings with a pair of strikeouts.

Ian Dunn drove home two runs for Wharmby.

Astro Falcons led Livi Steel, 4-0 in the second inning before that game was suspended. It will be resumed today at 6 p.m. on Field 2. Astro leads the series 1-0.

Warren AA

WARREN — Andy Todor had a pair of singles and two RBIs to lead the Mahoning Valley Knights over the Champion Marlins, 9-2, Saturday afternoon at MacGregor Field. Mike Carbo, Rick DiMuzio and Don Stevenson also had two hits apiece for the Knights, while Torrie Frangiamore and John Thompson hit doubles. Brett Dutton was the winning pitcher, with three strikeouts in 22‚Ñ3 innings.

Mike Sweeney singled twice and Tim McCoy doubled for the Marlins.

Elite Shockers 4, Flex Strut 2

WARREN — Mark Yartz had two hits, including a double, and earned the save for Elite Shockers. Justin Street and Mike Johnson added two hits apiece, and Craig Dobos had two RBIs. Kyle Pitts struck out five in six innings.

Richard Benchia fanned eight in a complete-game outing for Flex Strut.

Elite Shockers 8, Trumbull Co. Predators 7

WARREN — Mike Johnson had a double and two singles, and drove in three runs for Elite Shockers. Dobos also had three hits, while Kyle Pitts added a double and single. Justin Street drove in two runs. Jeremy Krol was the winning pitcher, striking out nine in six innings, and Mark Yartz picked up a save.

John Wagner led the Predators with two hits, including a double, and three RBIs. Dave Setting added three singles and two RBIs, while Joe Hardy hit a double.

Trumbull Co. Predators 4, Cleats Club Seat Grille 3

WARREN — Jarrett Partridge’s double drove in Jonathon Bohla with the winning run in the bottom of the eighth inning. T.J. Trevis and Aaron Byler led Cleats Club with two hits each, while Andrew Beachy and Mike Swoboda had doubles.