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City Series baseball returns as Chaney, East meet
Chaney, East renew rivalry with result on hold
By Dan Hiner
Youngstown
Chaney’s Valar Blair stepped into the batter’s box, East’s Ivan Rodriguez took the mound and Golden Bears coach Jason Ray yelled “City Series baseball is back.”
The City Series restarted Wednesday at Pemberton Park, but fans have to wait to see the conclusion. The Chaney baseball took a 9-8 led in the top of the fourth inning, but the game was suspended due to darkness in the top of the fifth.
It was the first meeting between the two schools since Chaney rebuilt its program.
Blair drove in the go-ahead run in the fourth on a bases-loaded infield single. East shortstop Edliam O’Neill snagged the ball behind second base, but missed the bag and an attempt at tagging Noah Cohen in front of the base.
“There was a lot of stress on my shoulders because we already had two outs,” Blair said. “I just relieved all my stress and just smacked the ball.”
Ray argued the call and appealed to the home-plate umpire, but was unsuccessful.
“I thought he was out, but that’s a judgment call,” Ray said. “In a game like that, things are going to happen. That’s a human factor and that’s OK.”
The Golden Bears (0-3) jumped out to an 8-2 lead in the second inning. But the Cowboys (0-2) scored four in the third and three in the fourth to take the lead.
Rodriguez allowed six runs — four earned — on four hits and three walks. He struck out eight in three innings of work.
Jose Rivera led the Golden Bears, going 1 for 2 with two RBIs and a walk. Tre’shaun “Debo” Partridge drove in a run on a bases-loaded walk and Kevin James had an RBI single.
“[Rodriguez] grew up a lot tonight,” Ray said. “I think everybody grew up a lot tonight.”
Chaney starter Josue Rivera allowed eight runs on four hits and six walks. He struck out three in 12/3 innings.
Blair went 3 for 4 with two RBIs to led the Cowboys. Carlos Peterson was 1 for 3 with two RBIs and a run scored. Juan Agotto scored three runs, including the go-ahead score.
“One of the things we taught these guys since Day 1 was, ‘You can’t quit,’ ” Chaney head coach Eric Gruberbrich said. “You got to finish every inning, finish every play and the game isn’t over until it’s over.”
After the game, players from both teams took a photo and shook hands. Partridge called the game “a terrible experience” since many of the players were former teammates.
“We ain’t just gonna turn our backs to each other just because we got split up [this year],” Partridge said. “We still love each other. There ain’t no hate going on.”
The two coaches discussed the conclusion of the game, but Ray said details are still being worked out.
The Cowboys and the Golden Bears are scheduled to play again on April 30 at Koch Field in Austintown, Chaney’s home ballpark.
“We’re bringing City baseball back — both coach Gruberbrich and myself,” Ray said. “It’s coming back pretty nice.”