Astro Falcons split pair to open NABF World Series
By Greg Gulas
STRUTHERS
The Astro Falcons haven’t had to play catch-up too many times this season.
After winning the Class B regular season and tournament crowns, they had a week off before heading into this year’s NABF Senior Division World Series.
They fell behind and needed nine innings in order to defeat the SAYO Grays, 5-4 in their opening contest Thursday at Bob Cene Park.
After spotting Maryland’s HCYP Raiders a 6-1 advantage, they fell just short and dropped their nightcap, 6-5.
“We were a little sluggish in our opening game, but having a week off had no bearing in our second one,” Astros manager Andy Timko said. “You can’t leave that many runners stranded against a good team like HCYP and not struggle. We’re 1-1 and need to win our next two games in order to control our own destiny when pool play is completed on Saturday.”
Ricky Williamson had two hits, scored two runs and picked up the save to pace the Raiders.
“It’s been a grind this season so having a week off really helped. We lost in the finals last year to the Ohio Glaciers so we’re still a hungry group that wants to win it all,” Williamson said. “The Astro Falcons are a really good team, so all I wanted to do was throw strikes and pitch to contact.”
Astros opened the scoring in the first inning when Lou Cardona’s opposite field double plated Jared Houser. The Raiders tied the game at 1 in the third when Joey Trapuzzano opened with a double, and then scored on a double by Alex Cappes.
HCYP then batted around in the fourth frame, scoring three times to forge a 4-1 lead. Williamson and Jimmy Cain each had RBI singles with Williamson, Joe Dinoto and Seth Kopel scoring runs.
The Raiders made it 6-1 in the fifth. Tyler Morris and Dinoto singled to open the inning and Cain had a two-run single.
Astros cut the Raiders’ lead to 6-4 in the fifth. Matt Gibson singled to open the frame, then Riley Campbell and Jared Houser walked to load the bases. Cardona followed with a single, Jared Kapturasky walked and Noah Laster hit a sacrifice fly.
They added their final run in the sixth inning on a double by Campbell.
“We had our chances to blow the game open several times, so credit Astros because they just kept fighting back,” Raiders manager Allan Miller said. “We put too many runners on and stranded too many, but our defense hung in there and kept us in the game.”
HCYP left 12 runners on base while the Astro Falcons stranded 10.
ROTH BROTHERS 3, MARYLAND MONARCHS 0
Luke Kelty tossed a one-hitter and struck out five to pace Roth, which got hits from Jake Smith, Daniel Kiester and Jonathan Pingree.
Dylan Neipert had the lone hit for the Monarchs.
Kelty threw just 93 pitches while Caleb Johnson took the loss for the Monarchs.
ROTH BROTHERS 9, SPRING COVE DRAGONS 5
Roth Brothers scored five times in the fourth inning to break the game open
Roth registered 11 hits in the game as Pingree had three safeties, including a double. Josh Fristik, Smith and Kiester added two hits apiece.
Mike Jones went five innings, scattering three hits while allowing just two runs to pick up the win.
Brendon Vollkomp had two doubles and three of Spring Cove’s 10 hits while Landon Mack also had two hits for the Dragons.
ASTRO FALCONS 5, SAYO GRAYS 4, 9 innings
Lou Cardona’s single scored Riley Campbell with the eventual winning run in the ninth with Mark Gross picking up the win in relief, going 2 2/3 innings and allowing just two hits and no runs.
Cardona also had two hits for Astros.
Hardvis Batista and Richard Palacios each had two hits and scored a run for the Grays.
Today, Roth Brothers will take on Boys of Summer while Astro Falcons meet Michigan Bulls, Vandemark.
Both games start at 5:30 p.m.