Long-distance dedication helps Baird Brothers
By Greg Gulas
STRUTHERS
Baird Brothers pitcher Brandon Mathews hails from Punxsutawney, Pa., and traveled two-and-a-half hours in order to play in the Bob Cene Memorial Tournament at Cene Park.
After playing to a 2-2 tie on Thursday and not getting out of the park until after midnight, Mathews and his brother John, the team’s starting shortstop, returned home only to head back to the park for Friday’s game with the Golden Spikes.
Brandon showed anything but tiring effects as he threw a five-inning, one-hitter, striking out seven and walking just three batters to lead Baird Brothers to an 11-2 victory, their first of the tourney.
They played to a tie with the Allegheny Tigers Thursday evening in a game that was suspended in the top of the fifth inning and will be completed this afternoon.
“I’m a little tired right now, but wasn’t during the game,” Mathews said. “I had good control today and my side-arm curve felt pretty nasty, but my defense was excellent and that was really big. It was also the first time that I played with my brother over here and that was very special.”
It took until the fifth inning before Golden Spikes outfielder Owen Corcoran registered his team’s first hit, a single to left field that plated Mike Megery with their first run.
“I didn’t think it would get through and actually thought that my brother had a chance to make a play on it,” Mathews said. “The big thing is that we won and if we continue to play like we did today, then we have an excellent chance to win the tournament.”
Matt DiDonato had three of Baird Brothers’ 13 hits and scored three runs.
“The tournament is an excellent opportunity for everyone to get in some extra games, some added exposure and hopefully show what we can do with scouts in attendance,” DiDonato said.
It didn’t take Baird Brothers long to get on the board, sending seven players to the plate in the opening frame as they forged the early 2-0 advantage.
John Matthews’ run-scoring triple plated Josh Anderson with the game’s first run, Matthews then scored when Mark Engle followed with an RBI single.
They increased their lead to 3-0 in the third inning, utilizing three consecutive singles which allowed DiDonato to cross the plate on Sam Greenburg’s single up the middle.
It then became a 5-0 contest in the fifth inning after Mathews scored on an infield error, followed by a Greenburg sacrifice fly.
Leading 5-1, Baird Brothers added six more runs in the sixth inning for an 11-1 margin with the big hit a three-run triple by designated hitter Kolby Wolfe.
“This is a good start to the tournament for us, but we have to keep it going,” Baird Brothers manager Don Pletcher said. “This tournament is always a lot of fun and the players get some extra games to play, but the goal remains to get to Saturday and Sunday with the hopes of winning it all.”
Knightline Embroidery 5, Pittsburgh Crusaders 0
Mike Boswell tossed a one-hitter, struck out 11 and walked just one batter to pick up the win for Knightline. Jake Kaschak had two hits while Zack Campbell had two safeties and scored twice in the first of two victories on the day for Knightline.
Avalanche 11, Diamond Boys Red 1
Mike Sootz had four hits while Colin Shinosky, Pat Carano and Aaron Williams ach had a pair of hits for Avalanche. Carano also picked up the mound win.
Knightline Embroidery 9, Diamond Boys Blue 0, 5 innings
Aaron Erimas tossed a two-hitter for Knightline while Kaschak and Brandon Scheidlemantle had two hits each in a five-inningn shortened affair.
Dura-Edge 5, Ohio Thunder 4, 9 innings
Jarret Lyon picked up the win in relief while Adam Walker had three hits for Dura-Edge, which needed nine innings to dispose of Ohio Thunder.
Boys of Summer (18) 5, Avalanche 1
Jake Begue, Sean Baker and Jake Hyrne each had two hits while Brock Begue added a double and scored a run for Boys of Summer. Sootz, Cafrano and Dominic Michael had two hits for Avalanche.
Astro Falcons 5, Ohio Arsenal 3
Michael McDonough scattered seven hits and struck out 10 opposing batter to pick up the win for Astro Falcons.
Creekside Fitness 18, Boys of Summer (16) 0, 5 innings
Eric Sapp tossed a two-hitter, striking out six for the win, helping his cause at the plate as well as he went “3 for 4” with three runs scored.
Baird Brothers 8, Diamond Boys Red 0
Jack Anderson tossed the tourney’s first no-hitter, going 5 innings, striking out seven and not allowing a free pass for the win.
Roth Brothers 3, Pittsburgh Crusaders 2
Mike Jones picked up the win in relief while Tim Sumner had two hits for Roth Brothers.