Youngstown All-Stars roll in tourney opener

PONY Baseball Colt-15 Zone Tournament

By Greg Gulas

sports@vindy.com

STRUTHERS

Youngstown All-Stars opened the PONY Baseball Colt-15 Zone Tournament Monday at Bob Cene Park with 10-0, six-inning victory over Waterford (N.Y.).

Hudson Widrig threw a complete game shutout, scattering five hits. Pad O’Shaughnessy had two hits, including a double and scored twice.

Because of rainy weather, Widrig said his goal was to throw strikes.

“Winning the first game is always big because it gets the tournament started on a positive note and gives you momentum,” Widrig said. “My fastball was working and that’s what I needed because that’s the pitch that sets everything else up for me.”

Youngstown raced to an early three-run lead in the second inning after O’Shaughnessy led off with a double and scored on an error by Waterford shortstop Geordon Buffoline.

Youngstown added two more runs on a fielder’s choice by Don Drummond and run-scoring single by Mike Grazier.

O’Shaughnessy reached base four times.

“We’re just looking to build on this with our ultimate our goal to play for the championship,” O’Shaughnessy said.

Youngstown added a run in the third inning when three batters reached base safely. Drummond’s second fielder’s choice scored Lou Cardona for a 4-0 margin.

Youngstown broke the game open in the sixth inning by scoring six runs, forcing the run rule to be enforced.

Youngstown sent eight batters to the plate with the first six reaching base safely. All of them scored.

After Jared Jay walked, Bryce Richey, Danny Joyce and Chris Lewis each singled.

After O’Shaughnessy reached on an error, T.J. DeShields tripled then scored on Travis Jones’ single that ended the game.

“We didn’t have an opportunity to practice prior to the tournament, but realized rather quickly that this team has pretty good pitching and is an excellent defensive unit,” Youngstown coach Steve Leslie said. “Those two components win games.

“We left seven runners on base and that can eventually catch up with you,” Leslie said. “With more work, we will get better as the tournament progresses.”

Cole Charrette had a single, walk and stolen base to pace Waterford.