Astro Falcons to play for title

STRUTHERS — The Astro Falcons defeated Toronto Mets, 3-2, on Saturday to advance to today’s championship game of the NABF Junior Regional tournament at Cene Park.

The Astro Falcons will play the undefeated North Coast Vipers today at 11:30 a.m. North Coast advanced by defeating Rondinelli Tuxedo, 7-0.

The Falcons will need to defeat the Vipers twice to win the title and the trip to the NABF World Series in Northville, Mich., that begins Thursday.

After getting the save in the Falcons’ 7-5 win over Roth Brothers earlier on Saturday, Alex Strittmatter tossed a complete-game victory in avenging a loss to the Mets.

Strittmatter struck out six and walked one. Gerrad Rohan had a pair of hits for the Falcons.

Phillippe Cote went the distance in defeat.

With two out in the seventh inning, Aaron Palmer tripled home a run to cut the Astro lead to 3-2. Strittmatter got the next man to fly out to left field to end the contest.

Against Roth Brothers, a four-run sixth inning propelled the Falcons. Sutton Whiting had three hits with Ryan Gallagher adding two with a pair of RBIs.

Tom Dillulo tossed two scoreless, hitless innings in relief for the win, striking out three.

Strittmatter picked up the save with a scoreless seventh frame. Dan Mioni and Danny Watkins had two hits each for Roth Brothers.

In the Vipers’ win over Rondinelli, Jake Stracensky tossed a two-hit shutout. Stracensky struck out seven and walked two while Sawyer Polen had four hits and Ian Mezlak added two.

Losing pitcher John Fithian allowed three earned runs in his six innings of work with a pair of strikeouts.

NABF Senior Regional

Trailing 4-0 after two innings, Thunder Select battled back to defeat Astro Falcons, 5-4, in 10 innings in the NABF Senior Regional tournament.

Thunder Select scored four runs in the fifth inning to tie the game, then scored the game winner in the 10th inning to remain undefeated.

Patrick Sinku tossed 31‚Ñ3 innings of scoreless relief for the win, with Patrick Kilway driving home the go-ahead run with a double.

Brian Kilway earned a save with a called third strike with the tying run on base to end the game. Andrew Zenchak and Jon Hartman had three hits.

Jared Turocy and Mike Natale had two hits each for Astro, which suffered its first loss.

In another game, 1080 Media remained alive with a 4-3 win over Ohio Hurricanes.

Vinny Natolli hit a bases-loaded triple to cap a four run first inning.

Natolli added a single while Dan Popio had a single and a double for the winners. Anthony Raschilla got the win with Matt Harmon tossing three scoreless innings.

Saturday evening’s games were not completed in time for this edition.

Colt Regional

In the Colt Regional tournament at Cene, 1080 Media defeated Hagerstown (Md.), 6-3, while Action Physical Therapy needed wight innings to outslug Seneca Valley (Pa.), 13-11.

It was 1080 Media’s second win against Hagerstown. Joe Tuchek and Tim Cheslik had two hits each with Mike Watson drove home two runs.

Brad Smith went the first three innings for the win on the mound, allowing two runs with three strikeouts.

For Hagerstown, Aaron Stoner drove home a pair of runs with a double.

Action Physical Therapy advanced to the championship round as they took advantage of nine Seneca Valley errors.

Rick Yauger and Cody Kirk drove home three runs each while Brad Kelly had two hits for Action.

Jarrod Seech tossed three scoreless innings in relief for the win, allowing four hits and striking out a pair.

Paul Krevokuch and Chris Dahlstrom had four hits each in a losing effort for Seneca Valley while Tyler Budsky drove home three runs.