Astro claims Class B title

July 6, 2012 at 12:08a.m.

By Steve Wilaj

Struthers

Astro Falcons pitcher Tanner Love was faced with a strange situation for Thursday’s resumption of Game Two of the Class B championship series at Cene Park,

Love was given the task to start — in relief — and finish what began on Wednesday night before a weather delay.

Love came through, blanking Creekside Fitness for a 3-2 victory and two-game sweep.

Picking-up in the bottom of the fifth inning with two outs, Astro held a 3-1 lead over Creekside Fitness, with Creekside possessing a runner on second base.

So under the unusual circumstances, Love stuck to the usual.

“I just tried to do as I always do,” he said. “Warm-ups. Stretching. Bullpen. Everything was the same as a normal start.”

As a result, Love and Astro held on, allowing just one run in capturing the Class B championship for the second consecutive year.

“It’s a very competitive league and to go back-to-back is a good feat,” Astro coach Andy Timko said.

Astro catcher Dan Popio said, “We were fortunate enough to get back here and we made it happen. We were able to take advantage of our opportunities.”

While Astro capitalized offensively on Wednesday night with RBI singles from Popio and Brendan Cox, Thursday’s finish was about defense and pitching.

Love retired the first four batters he faced with fine plays from his fielders.

“I rely on my defense more than I rely on my stuff,” Love said. “I try to give them as many chances as possible rather than trying to strikeout everyone.”

Creekside threatened in their final at-bat, which began with a Dan Ferguson lead-off double. Ferguson came around to score on a single by Hank Schlueter.

But the rally ended when Love got Creekside’s Kevin Yarabinc to swing through a high fastball.

“He had his breaking ball and was spotting his fastball,” Popio said of Love. “He did the job for us. That’s exactly what we needed him to do.”

The winning pitcher for Astro was Cody Stokes. He pitched 42/3 innings on Wednesday, allowing only one unearned run on three hits.

“That’s a good team that beat us,” Creekside coach Terry Landis said. “We just didn’t execute and hit the ball when we should have.”

Landis added that the weather delay may played a role in the outcome.

“We were on a roll, all pumped-up and ready to hit the ball,” Landis said about Wednesday night. “It would have been a different story if we played the game out [on Wednesday.] But it is what it is.

“Congratulations to Astros.”