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Rondinelli falls in third round of Mack event
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Rondinelli second baseman Anthony Rohan fi elds the ball to fi rst baseman Todd Timmick (13) to get Anthony Ciocca out during the Connie Mack state baseball tournament Wednesday at Cene Park in Struthers. Rondinelli lost to the Vipers, 4-2, and were eliminated from competition.
By John Rozum
STRUTHERS
Rondinelli Tuxedo entered Wednesday’s game at the Connie Mack state baseball tournament with two impressive victories under its belt.
But the Youngs- town Class B League team couldn’t come up with the key hits in the third-round game against North Coast Vipers, falling 4-2 in the 49th state tournament game at Cene Park.
Rondinelli was coming off victories over J&A Baseball 5-2, and Team Ohio 7-5 in earlier Mack games.
A win on Wednesday would have put Rondinelli in the winner’s bracket semifinals, but with the loss they must now battle back through the consolation bracket.
The Vipers, from the Cleveland’s west-side, is a traveling team that is sending eight of their 18 players to NCAA Division I schools such as Ohio University, Kent State, and Toledo of the Mid-American Conference.
The Vipers have 10 teams at all age levels, so it’s safe to say they play top-notch competition wherever they participate.
For this tournament, the Vipers shut out their first opponent, the MAF Gators 4-0, then won a shootout 12-9 over Sam Pitzulo Homes.
Against Rondinelli on Wednesday, the Vipers jumped out to a quick 3-0 lead in the first inning where they batted around and saw the first six batters reach safely.
“We just had a few mental errors that hurt us. It’s my job to motivate them and stay positive,” coach Terry Landis of Rondinelli Tuxedo said.
The Vipers took advantage of three infield singles, an error and two wild pitches.
However, Rondinelli pitchers settled down after that, striking out seven batters, forcing five groundouts and two double-plays for the game.
In the fourth inning, Rondinelli scored two runs as Dan Ferguson and Todd Finnick drew bases-loaded walks.
For the game, Rondinelli forced five walks, but only managed three hits.
Vipers pitching recorded six strikeouts and forced eight groundouts, turning one double play.
As for the Vipers offense, they were swinging the bats hard and totaled 10 hits, including back-to-back doubles in the sixth, tacking on an insurance run.
When asked about motivating his players, Landis said, “Well, I got a group of young kids, 16, 17-year-olds, some 18. And I just have to keep working with them now, and throughout the offseason.”
Both teams played again later on Wednesday evening.
The Connie Mack tournament continues today with the championship game scheduled for Friday.