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Astro Falcons advance; Roth Bros, ousted
Falcons score 44 runs in 2 wins at Cene Park
By Greg Gulas
STRUTHERS
When asked to compare this year’s Astro Falcons team to his 2012 World Series champions, manager Andy Timko said there was a telltale characteristic for both: remaining focused and stayed hungry.
In Saturday’s NABF Senior Division World Series quarterfinals, Astro Falcons defeated Troy American Legion Post #43, 20-2 at Bob Cene Park.
The Falcons will meet Michigan Bulls (Gallagher) today at 10 a.m. The other semifinal will pit the HCYP Raiders against New York’s SAYO Grays.
Jared Burkert, who needed just 94 pitches, tossed a complete game seven-hitter, striking out six while each Astros starter had at least one hit offensively.
Also Saturday, the Falcons bounced the Toledo Hawks, 24-0 count.
“It’s pretty easy to pitch when you have a big lead like I did today,” Burkert said.
“My mindset was to throw strikes and with the lead I had, I just relied on my fastball and location. Our offense was really clicking today.”
In the third inning, the Falcons sent 12 batters to the plate to produce a 9-1 lead.
The big blow was a three-run triple by Riley Campbell.
Greg Popatak’s two hits in the inning included run -scoring single.
Popatak, who missed Thursday’s action while registering for classes at George Mason University where he will play baseball beginning in the fall, is a tournament addition from the league’s Millwood entry.
“It’s definitely great to be back and heading to the final day of play,” Popatak said.
The Astros scored 10 more times in the fifth inning, sending 14 batters to the plate to increase their lead to 19-2.
All nine batters scored. Campbell did so twice as b he and Jared Houser had a double and single in the frame.
The big hit, was a three-run triple off the bat of Kyle Benyo, who had four RBIs.
The World Series will with the title game at 12:30 p.m.
Roth Bros. 8, Team Ontario 3
Earlier, Alex Thompson threw six-innings of shutout ball, scattering three hits to pick up the win for Roth.
Mike Boswell had two hits and three RBIs while Craig Lewis and Jon Pingree each added two hits.
Astro Falcons 24, Toledo HAwks 0
Noah Laster and Campbell each had three hits.
Popatak, Matt Gibson, Lou Cardona and Campbell doubled while Houser tripled.
Campbell, Jared Kapturasky and Cardona each had three RBIs while Poptak scored four runs.
Dalton Donachee picked up the win as he allowed just one hit.
Michigan Bulls 4, Roth Bros. 0
Zach Vitkuske twirled a complete game three-hitter to oust Roth Bros.
David Vinsky’s triple in the opening inning scored Alex Manasa with the game’s first run.
Roth Bros. finished the tournament 4-1.
The Bulls are 3-2.