Astro sweeps Roth for 2-0 series edge

July 16, 2015 at 12:00a.m.

STRUTHERS

Strong pitching performances Wednesday helped the Astro Falcons build a commanding 2-0 series lead over Roth Bros. in the best-of-five Class B finals at Bob Cene Park.

“It’s definitely a good cushion, it gives us some room to breathe,” said Falcons outfielder Jared Kapturasky, who came on to pitch in the seventh inning of Game 2 and closed out a 4-2 victory.

Catcher Hunter Snyder called the sweep “a huge confidence builder knowing that they have to come three more nights and beat us.

“We have the best pitching in the league so nights like this [are possible] because we are so blessed to have that pitching.”

In the first game, the Falcons romped to an 8-2 victory. Snyder and Jared Burkert each scored twice while Dustin Landers, Mark Gross and Dalton Donachie combined for a three-hitter.

The second game was dominated by Falcons starter Tyler Gorbee, a graduate of Sewickley High School near Pittsburgh, who had a scholarship to the University of Akron until the school dropped its baseball program last week.

Gorbee’s speed had several college scouts sitting behind home plate watching him with radar guns.

Roth Bros. manager Matt McGivern said some of his players told him the guns recorded speeds up to 89 mph.

“He’s a good pitcher, he shut us down for a little while,” said McGivern who saw Gorbee pitch for the first time. “Everybody was pretty cranked up. We saw the radar guns, we saw all the [scouts] here so it was a little intimidating at first.

“But once we kind of settle in, we weathered the storm,” McGivern said. “We got past him and we had a chance.”

Gorbee took a no-hitter into the fifth inning. Trailing 4-0, Pete Hernandez’s sinking liner landed in front of Jared Houser in center field. Hernandez then scored on Dan Kiester’s groundout.

“He did unbelievable,” Kapturasky said of Gorbee allowing two hits. “He threw strikes. His speed is something a lot of teams don’t see down here.

“He’s a rare breed, throws very hard and he knows how to dominate games.”

Things became interesting in the bottom of the seventh inning after Gorbee hit Ray Belchick and Kiester and Nick Badanjek drew walks.

Falcons manager Andy Timko called for Kapturasky to come in from left field to finish. After striking out out Josh Fristik, Kapturasky retired Jack Lynch on a sacrifice fly that produced the second Roth Bros. run. Kapturasky whiffed Connor Perry to end the game.

Finishing on the mound wasn’t on Kapturasky’s mind when he went out for the final inning.

“The main feeling was get the job done, throw strikes and get the win — really, there was nothing else to it,” Kapturasky said.

In the first game, a three-base error in the second inning launched the Falcons. After Kyle Benyo drew a lead-off walk, Snyder singled to right to send Benyo to third base. Burkert blooped a hit into over shortstop Riley Campbell to score the first run.

Pitcher Luke Kelty fielded Matt Gibson’s bunt and threw wide of first baseman Andrew Armstong, allowing Snyder and Burkert to score as Gibson hustled to third base. Houser’s opposite-field hit down the left-field line brought Gibson home for a 4-0 lead.

In the second game, two errors helped the Falcons grab a 2-0 lead without the benefit of a hit. Benyo reached on a sacrifice bunt when catcher Badanjek’s throw to third base was late. After Lou Cardona scored on a fielder’s choice, Snyder made it 2-0 when he scored on a bases-loaded walk.

“Landers did a good job in the first game,” Timko said. “You get Tyler some runs, he’s pretty hard to beat.”

McGivern said his team is focusing on how well they finished.

“I’m proud of the way we battled all year,” McGivern said. “We had a chance in the seventh and we needed two hits.

“I feel we have a chance.”