43
Creekside Fitness reaches Colt Super Regional title game
Creekside Fitness wins three games
to reach Colt Super Regional title game
By Greg Gulas
Struthers
Alex Harrison tossed a complete game while Gino Beato and Lane Sankey each registered two hits and scored twice to lead Creekside Fitness over Mars (Pa.), 8-6 in the final opening-round game of the PONY Baseball, Colt Super Regional Tournament Friday at Bob Cene Park.
It was one of three games that they played on the day to remain undefeated and advance to Sunday’s championship series.
They also defeated Chambersburg, 11-1 as Jared Burkert threw a one-hitter and struck out 10 while during a 9-2 win over the Longhorns, Antonio Viviano scattered three hits and fashioned the team’s third complete game of the day, allowing just three hits while adding three RBIs.
The other local entry, Dura-Edge, dropped a 4-3 decision to the Longhorns as pitcher Jim Larich of the Longhorns scattered seven hits in going the distance.
Phil Fusco had two hits for Dura-Edge.
In the opening game of the day, Harrison, who survived a five-run, fifth inning uprising by Mars, said he wasn’t rattled as he picked up the complete-game win.
“I lost my control and a couple hits that found their way to the outfield just contributed to the inning,” Harrison said. “Credit my defense because they made big plays when they had to and Lake [Sankey] called a great game behind the dish.
“He also threw out a couple of runners and that helped as well.”
It didn’t take long for Creekside’s bats to ignite as they scored three times in the opening inning for the early 3-0 advantage.
Jaydon Johnson led off the game with a walk, later scoring on a wild pitch with the other big blow a two-run single off the bat of Bryce Richey.
Mars cut the deficit to two, 3-1, in the second when Isaiah Johnson’s double plated Jack Egan.
Creekside reclaimed its three-run margin in the bottom of the frame when Johnson drove home Dom Drummond with a single.
The Purple Reign increased their lead to 7-1 in the third inning when Sankey, Viviano and Beato each singled to start the frame and eventually score for a six-run advantage.
“We had the lead, gave up some runs late but pushed through it. It’s important to get that first win just so you can advance to winner’s bracket play,” Beato added.
Creekside made it 8-1 in the fourth inning when Sankey scored on a wild pitch, but Mars mounted a comeback in the fifth when they sent nine batters to the plate, scored five runs and cut the deficit to 8-6.
That proved to be the end of all of the scoring.
Trevor Heim and Ryan Astbury each collected an RBI, but the big blow came off the bat of Elijah Brooks, who laced a two-run single that plated both Calin Gribbin and Heim.
“Alex was in control the entire game and while he had a shaky fifth inning, he still had good command of his pitches and was able to stay ahead in the count,” manager Bob Boughner said.
“His curveball was working, he stayed calm and we were able to regain our focus after that. As for Gino, he was struggling at the plate the last couple games but today was patient, got his pitch and was able to drive it. The end result was a couple of hits; he got on base three times and scored two of our runs.”