Tuesday, May 19, 2009
By Paul Trgovac
STRUTHERS — Hubbard spotted Cardinal Mooney a 4-1 lead after one inning, then outscored the Cardinals 7-1 in the final six frames to win 8-5 in a Division II district baseball semifinal at Bob Cene Park.
The Eagles (16-9) will play Poland for the district title at 6:30 p.m. today at Cene Park.
Hubbard was paced by the arm and bat of junior Matt Shelton who went the first 52‚Ñ3 innings on the mound for the win. He also added four hits, including two doubles, with three runs and two RBIs.
Shelton (6-1) allowed seven hits, three of them coming in the four-run first inning, while recording three strikeouts.
“We have to be there as a team in order to go anywhere, and I tried to set an example for everyone that he [the pitcher] is hittable, and we can do it,” said Shelton. ”I had some trouble with the mound in the first, but then I got settled down, hit the zone with my pitches and let my defense do the work.
“My team picked me up when I got down on the mound with some plays on defense.”
Shelton’s first double plated a run in the top of the first, then Mooney (17-6) scored four times in the bottom of the frame for the 4-1 lead. Drew Fitzpatrick and Anthony Franceschelli had run-scoring triples to highlight the rally.
Hubbard scored an unearned run in the second, and tied the game with a pair of runs in the third. Dan Helsel drove in one run with a single with Mike Starr’s double tying the contest at 4-4.
The Eagles took the lead for good in the fourth as Shelton and Helsel had back to back RBI doubles for a 6-4 lead. Hubbard added two more runs in the sixth, the second scoring on Helsel’s third hit of the game — a drive to the wall in right center. On the play Helsel tripped going around the bag at first and had to be taken off the field by ambulance.
“We think it is a broken leg.” said Hubbard coach Brian Bosheff. “He [Helsel] had done such a great job, not only today but all season. Dan is part of the heart and soul of this team and he is also one of our top pitchers too.
“He was going to be the guy to throw [today], so this really hurts.”
Mooney rallied in the bottom of the sixth. Colin Hart started the inning with a single and scored on a one-out hit by Eddie Reese. Slemons came on to end the threat as he got Brad Byers to ground out and then Fitzpatrick hit a liner snared by Mike Lopuchovsky at second base.
Boo Vazquez started the Cards seventh with a hit, his third of the game, but Hubbard then turned a double play to clear the bases.
Back to back hits by Dan Eich and Hart brought the tying run to the plate, but Semons retired Owen Timlin on a pop-up to end the game.
“That is a quality team over there [Mooney],” added Bosheff. “Shelton was a stud. He did not have his best stuff at times but he really battled out there.
“We really hang our hats on our defense. We don’t have any flame throwers on the mound so our defense has to carry us.”
Mark Warchol went the first 32‚Ñ3 innings and took the loss as his record slipped to 6-2. Warchol allowed six runs (five earned) on five hits with a pair of strikeouts.
Ryan Gallagher tossed the final 31‚Ñ3, allowing two runs on four hits with a strikeout.
Hubbard won a regular season game against Poland 6-5.
“We could be throwing guys every two innings against Poland,” said Bosheff. “We were thinking of maybe Slemons, but he has not thrown back-to-back days this season. We may have to go with a younger kid and see what happens.
“ It is going to be battle — you have to expect that — and we are looking forward to the challenge.”