Mooney scores early, often against Hubbard

May 15, 2015 at 12:07a.m.

By DAN HINER

STRUTHERS

Cardinal Mooney’s bats seemed unstoppable in an 11-1 rout of Hubbard in a Division II sectional final baseball game Thursday.

The Cardinals (13-7) scored eight runs in the bottom of the first inning. Eight of the first nine batters reached base to begin the inning and seven of the eight runners scored. The Cardinals sent 12 batters to the plate in the first. Leadoff hitter Jack Lynch scored twice in the first.

“We’ve been streaky with that all year,” Hubbard head coach John Schiraldi said. “Fish [Mike Fishel], who started, didn’t have that today. He’s thrown some great games for us this year and that’s why he was out there. I had faith in him, and you know how it goes — some days you just don’t have it. Mooney can hit. They’re a good team. Mooney’s effort had a lot to do with that first inning too. It wasn’t that we did anything wrong.”

Hubbard (12-13) scored its only run of the game in the top of the second to cut the Mooney lead to 8-1. Colin Shinosky singled to centerfield to lead off the inning. Shinosky advanced to second base after a single by Drew Bencetic, and eventually score on a one-out single by Kent Kroynovich.

The Cardinals extended their lead to 9-1in the bottom of the second when starting pitcher Christian Lowery walked with one out and the bases empty. A single by Trent Humphreys and an error by Hubbard allowed Lowery to advance from first to third. Lowery scored on a sacrifice fly by Devin Curd.

The Mooney bats came alive again in the bottom of the fifth inning. Woodberry led off with a single and advanced to second base after Lynch grounded out to first.

Bryce Richey drove in Woodberry on a double to left field. Richey scored the game-ending run after back-to-back wild pitches allowed him to score from second base. He finished 2 for 3 with two RBIs and two runs scored.

Lowery (7-0) throw a complete game — allowing one run, four hits and one walk. Lowery recorded only one strikeout, but he was able to keep the Eagles off-balance.

“I was extremely pleased with our pitcher,” Mooney head coach Al Franceschelli. “He had really good stuff tonight. He was getting his cut fastball and his curveball over the plate and was keeping their hitters off on their front foot. It was a good game for us.”

Lowery said the Cardinals are prepared to play in the next round of the tournament.

“Confidence is really good right now,” Lowery said. “All year we battled adversity — between injuries and players being suspended. We had a really tough schedule and we really mended together as a team really well. We’re just looking for the best. Our heads are on straight right now and we’re ready to take on whatever gets in our way.”