Baird Brothers floors first NABF opponent

July 22, 2016 at 12:10a.m.

in NABF World Series at Cene Park

Struthers

The last time Baird Brothers played together as a team, they swept the Astro Falcons in three games to claim the Class B league title.

That championship earned them a week away from the game in order to get ready for this weekend’s NABF 18-U World Series at Cene Park.

Team Ontario now wishes Baird Brothers had stayed on vacation.

Jack Tumulty tossed six innings, struck out six, allowed just one run while scattering four hits while Sam Ireland had two runs batted in and scored twice to pace Baird Brothers to a 9-1 victory.

“I haven’t thrown since last Saturday in a tournament at Virginia Tech, so it took me an inning to get back into a rhythm,” Tumulty said. “I gave up a run in the first inning, but wasn’t worried because this team knows how to get on base and score runs. When I needed a strike, I just reached back and went to my fastball. It worked the entire game.”

Team Ontario took the early 1-0 lead in the opening inning when Reilly Walters walked, later racing home with the first run of the game on Nickolon Dudhnath opposite field single.

Baird Brothers forged a 3-1 lead in the second frame, sending eight batters to the plate with the big blows a run-scoring single from Brendan Burke and an RBI double off the bat of Matt DiDonato.

It was a lead they would not relinquish the rest of the way.

They stretched their lead to 7-1 in the fifth, sending seven batters to the plate and scoring four times on four hits.

John Matthews’ single scored Jarret Lyon for a 4-1 margin while Mathews and Josh Anderson would score on a double by Ireland for a 6-1 advantage.

Ireland completed the rally by scoring on a passed ball by Team Ontario receiver Jacob O’Malley.

“When we get down a run or two, we never panic because this team has players that get on base and hit the ball,” Ireland said.

“As for Jack, I’ve now played with him for the past three years and he just keeps getting better.”

Manager Don Pletcher called both players key cogs.

“We felt that with Jack on the hill he would limit our opponents’ opportunities. It was just that we all needed to get going after our lay-off,” Pletcher said.

“I have had some good players over the years, but Sam is one of my all-time favorites. He can play every outfield and infield position and his baseball IQ is off the charts. Today was a big win, but we’re in it to play on Sunday and that is our goal.”

Baird Brothers closed out the scoring with two runs in the sixth inning, both coming on a single by Anderson with two away in the frame.

CRAB UNIVERSITY 6, ASTRO FALCONS 2

Maryland’s Crab University rode a five-run fifth inning to a 6-2 victory over Class B runner-up, Astro Falcons.

Noah LeBrun tossed a complete game, eight-hitter to pick up the win while Ereck Taylor went 4 1/3 innings, allowing all six runs to absorb the loss.

Zachary Seal had three runs batted in while Conor Grammes and Jarett Faunce each had two hits for Crab.

Jared Kapturasky had two hits with Noah Laster and Matt Gibson driving in Astro Falcons’ two runs.