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‘B’ League showdown
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Rondinelli's Nick Ciancci (34) pitches to 1080 Media, at Cene Park, Thursday July 22, 2010
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Rondinelli's Tony Koch comes up short on catching a fly ball in the final innings of a game against 1080 Media at Cene Field on Thursday afternoon.
Rondinelli stays unbeaten, beats 1080 Media
By JON MOFFETT
Struthers
The 1080 Media team looked to have a distinct advantage in its Connie Mack tournament game with Rondinelli Tuxedo. But Rondinelli proved why it won last year’s event and hopes to do the same in 2010.
Rained out the previous night, Rondinelli was on the field at Cene Park at 9 a.m. A grueling 10-inning game in 80-degree weather saw Rondinelli’s undefeated streak remain intact. But not even the hot sun could make them sweat their next game with the also undefeated 1080 media squad.
Playing behind solid pitching, strong defense and clutch hitting, Rondinelli was able to overcome 1080 Media for a 7-0 win. Their undefeated streak and hopes for a tournament championship remain alive.
“Sometimes, when you hit that ball and you get a little relaxation you play a good game,” said Rondinelli coach Marty Kanetsky.
At this stage of the tournament, which began July 19, players’ arms are tired, Kanetsky said. Many teams have already gone through their No. 1 and 2 pitchers.
But pitcher Nick Cianci came up huge for Rondinelli. He allowed five hits and struck out four in seven innings.
Cianci kept the ball down and the defense recorded 10 groundouts. Hits were few and far between for 1080 Media, which didn’t have a runner advance past second base.
1080 coach Andy Timko said Wednesday’s downpours, which postponed several games and delayed others, made for long days at Cene.
“Not making excuses, but we were [at the park] until midnight [Wednesday] and were here for 11 hours,” he said. “So the kids were a little down and dragging a bit.”
Rondinelli started off hot, scoring in the first inning.
Left fielder Tony Koch reached on a fielding error, and advanced to second on a wild pitch. He came around to score when teammate Zach Stein singled to left. Koch scored again in the bottom of the third.
Stein had the second RBI of the game, and also scored a run.
Cianci sat the morning game in preparation for his start against 1080. He said it was a testament to the team’s resilience to play at such a high level after a game that had three bonus innings.
“It takes some focus to just hang in there and stick it out,” he said. “Especially after a long game like that; a long week like it has been.”
Rondinelli will play today at 5 p.m. against Team Ohio. Kanetsky said his team hopes to win the tournament for the second time in as many years.
“Quite a few of these guys were on the team last year, and the thought of back-to-back league championships and back-to-back Connie Mack [titles] is in the back of their minds,” he said. “And we’re looking to book it.”