Knightline Embroidery falls in PONY WS opener

Staff report

SANTA CLARA, CALIF.

Uncharacteristically shaky defense was the main culprit as Knightline Embroidery dropped its opening game in the PONY Palomino World Series on Thursday.

Knightline committed five errors — including four in the infield — in a 10-3 loss to Caguas, Puerto Rico in a first-round game.

The game was tied at 3 in the fifth and Knightline had a chance to escape a jam, but an error on a ground ball to short let two runs score and led to a five-run inning.

“It was one of the worst games we’ve played in weeks,” Knightline manager Tommy Otto said. “We just didn’t catch it today.”

Pitcher Michael Massucci took the loss despite giving up only one earned run. He left in the fifth with runners on second and third and one out. Reliever Hank Clegg then got a strikeout and had a chance to get out of the inning before the error.

“The floodgates just opened after that,” Oto said.

Jake Kaschak and Bryce Richey each went 2 for 4 in the defeat. Richey and Jake Gherardi each had a double. Kaschak, Richey and Gherardi combined for five of Knightline’s six hits.

Knightline will face San Jose, Calif., in an elimination game at 1 p.m. today.

Otto said Dom Michael will start on the mound for the locals.

“We scouted that team [San Jose] after our game and we think Dom is the best matchup against them,” Otto said. “He’s usually a closer, but it’s an elimination game and we’re trying to extend our stay in the tournament.”