Pittsfield rallies late and Anderson
closes door on 6-5 victory
By: Michael Radomski
(PITTSFIELD, Mass.) - The
Dukes trailed early, rallied late, and slammed the door shut on an
eventful July 4th victory against the Manchester Silkworms 6-5.
Pittsfield would be the first team to score when Matt Adams
(Slippery Rock) hit an RBI infield single to short, stopped by a
diving A.J. Rusbarsky (Seton Hall University) to prevent another run
from scoring. The Dukes would give starter Alex MacKenzie (Canisius)
a 1-0 lead to take into the second inning.
MacKenzie was effective through the first three innings holding the
Silkworms scoreless on two hits. He also had five strikeouts through
three innings but struggled in the 4th when Manchester would take
the lead. Back to back RBI singles from Ryan Piacentini (Army) and
Rusbarsky would put the Silkworms ahead two to one.
Manchester would add to the lead in the fifth inning with two more
runs as the Dukes committed two errors in the inning. The Silkworms
would score another run in the seventh inning as Craig Hertler (San
Jose State) would commit his second and third errors of the game,
giving Manchester the 5-1 advantage.
James Kukucka (Eastern Connecticut State University) struggled in
the first inning against the Dukes but settled down after that. The
right-handed pitcher would set down thirteen hitters in a row at one
point, holding the Dukes to one run through six innings.
Kukucka retired Jason Krizan (Dallas Baptist) to start the 7th
inning, but six straight Dukes hits off three separate pitchers
would Pittsfield back in front. After walking in the Pittsfield
Fourth of July parade earlier in the day in their camouflage
jerseys, the Dukes still had a little left in the tank for the 7th
inning.
Adams would end the run of thirteen straight hitters retired with a
solo home run out to center field. It was the third home run of the
season for Adams and the blast closed the gap to three runs. Five
singles followed the home run to tie the game at five. Hertler's two
run single tied it, then manager Mike Marron called for a suicide
squeeze and J.T. Musso's (BYU) bunt would score Jason Martin (San
Jose State) to give Pittsfield the 6-5 lead. The Dukes would send
nine hitters to the plate in the inning in which they score five
runs.
Manchester would threaten in the eight inning off Dukes reliever
Luke Mazzanti (San Jose State). In his second inning of work,
Mazzanti got into a jam and left with runners on first and third and
one out. Marron called on closer Zach Anderson (Buffalo) to get out
of the jam, and he did just that.
With the infield in, Sean O'Hara (Harvard) hit a grounder to third,
and Jayson Langfels (Eastern Kentucky) threw home to Musso who
tagged out Michael Gallic (Marist College) for the second out. After
intentionally walking Chris Affinito (Seton Hall) to load the bases
with two outs, Anderson got Jeff Cammans (University of Rhode
Island) to fly out to center to end the inning.
The Dukes would go scoreless in the eighth and Anderson would pitch
a one, two, three ninth inning, retiring Michael Bourdon (Fairfield
University) who went 4 for 5 to leadoff the inning.
Pittsfield would win the game 6-5 in those same camouflage jerseys
in front of 4,218 fans at Historic Wahconah Park. Fans were then
treated to a fireworks show after the game sponsored by Berkshire
Bank.
The Pittsfield Dukes improve to 10-10 on the season to take sole
possession of second place. The Dukes will continue their scheduled
five game homestand with the Newport Gulls visiting tomorrow for a
seven o'clock contest. Fans will also be treated to a fireworks
extravaganza after the game sponsored by the Dan Duquette Sports
Academy. Michael Ness (Duke) is 3-1 on the season with a 0.72 ERA,
and is slated as the probable starter.
With the loss, the Silkworms drop to 9-11 on the season and have
lost three of the last four games between the two teams. Manchester
will travel to North Adams tomorrow and play the SteepleCats in a
seven o'clock game. Nick Noblit (American International) is 2-1 with
a 1.93 ERA and is listed as the probable starter.
Tickets are still available for tomorrow's Dukes game against the
Gulls. Box seats and general admission seats are still available but
are going quick as well. July 5th is also Pajamas Night at Wahconah
Park. Come to the game in your PJ's and get in for free. Tickets can
be purchased by stopping by the Dukes' box office at 105 Wahconah
Street or by calling the front office at 413 447 DUKE (3853).
