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Youngstown stars win PONY Series opener
By Joe Tuscano
WASHINGTON, PA.
The center fielder normally plays first base. The shortstop normally plays center field. And the pitcher is normally a reliever.
But Friday night, in the first game of the Pony League World Series, Youngstown put together one of its best defensive efforts, and starter Davey LeMasters allowed only three hits in a 2-1 victory over Culiacan, Mexico.
The victory sends Youngstown into a winners’ bracket game Monday at 8 p.m.
“We moved some people around,” said Youngstown manager Paul Hammond. “These were not some of their normal positions. Our kids can play multiple positions.”
LeMasters allowed only one run, which came on a wild pitch in the fifth inning and tied the game, 1-1. Other than that, LeMasters was magnificent, tossing 81 pitches and striking out five.
“He’s normally our closer,” said Hammond. “We had a couple of complete games with him, but he’s mostly pitched out of the bullpen, no more than two innings.”
Youngstown pushed the winning run across in the top of the sixth inning when Tommy Cannon singled, then scored when Brandon Chamberlain doubled him home with a shot to the gap in right-center field.
Youngstown had two defensive gems, a double play in the fourth inning and a run-saving stop by second baseman Sage Cantini in the fifth that saved runs.
“Our defense made plays the whole game,” Hammond said.
Youngstown reached Culiacan for a run in the third inning. LeMasters singled up the middle for the first hit of the game and moved to second on a wild pitch by Culiacan starter Jahaziel Gomez.
Hunter Snyder walked and Austin Brunstetter loaded the bases with a ringing single to right field.
Alex Hammond brought LeMasters home when he grounded into a fielder’s choice to Iran Acosta, Culiacan’s third baseman. LeMasters broke on contact and easily scored.
Culiacan tied the game, 1-1, in the bottom of the fifth inning. Christian Quintero led off with a single to right field and stole second base. Jesus Zamudio tried to bunt him to third but popped up behind home plate, and Cannon made a nice catch for the first out.
Salvador Garcia followed with ground ball between first and second and Cantini made a diving stop, then threw to first baseman Eddie Crump for the out. LeMasters walked the next two batters but got Jairo Lazcano to ground out to first.
But LeMasters uncorked a wild pitch that scored Quintero.