Dukes defeat Dominican
Republic All Star Team at Wahconah Park
By: Michael Radomski
(PITTSFIELD, Mass.)- The
Pittsfield Dukes rallied for the third straight game with a five run
fifth inning on their way to an 8-6 victory over the Dominican
Republic All Stars.
The Dukes would start by scoring two runs in the first inning
without even getting a hit. All Star starter Jorge Pimentel hit
three batters and walked one in the inning that saw Pittsfield take
the early lead. An RBI groundout from Kevin Clements (Manchester CC)
and a hit by pitch with the bases loaded to Perry Silverman (Canisius)
would give the Dukes the 2-0 advantage.
Dukes starter Mike Woytek (Wright State) would set down the All
Stars in the first inning in order, but he would struggle in the
second inning. An RBI double from Audri Acosta would tie up the game
as Julian Alvarez and Angel Valdez would score on the play.
Woytek would then retire nine hitters in a row on his way to
throwing five innings and just allowing two runs. In the bottom of
the fifth inning, the Dukes would rally and send eleven hitters to
the plate. Clements hit a 2 run double to break the tie, and Jayson
Langfels (Eastern Kentucky) would follow two hitters later with an
RBI single. After Perry Silverman (Canisius) grounded out, Billy
Messer (Slippery Rock) would strike out but reach first on the wild
pitch to prolong the inning. The Dukes would go on to score two more
runs in the inning and take the 7-2 lead.
Louie Bernardini (Wheaton College) would enter and pitch the sixth
and seventh innings for the Dukes. Bernardini would allow a run in
each inning as the Dominican Republic All Stars closed the gap to
three. Pittsfield would threaten in both innings as well but would
come up empty hitting, into two double plays.
In the eighth inning, Matt Giusti (Stonehill College) entered the
game and allowed back to back singles to leadoff the inning. Both
runners would score in the inning as the All Stars battled back to
within a run. An RBI groundout from Peter Copa would score the fifth
run and an RBI single from Angel Valdez but the potential game-tying
run on first. Valdez would be lifted for Antony Somez who would
steal second and put himself in scoring position. Giusti would
strike out Acosta to end the inning with the 7-6 lead.
The Dukes would score an insurance run in the eighth inning and call
upon Jack Bender (Georgetown) to relieve Giusti and close out the
ballgame. Bender retired all three hitters he faced including two
strikeouts to give Pittsfield the 8-6 victory.
The Pittsfield Dukes will have Monday off before traveling down to
Danbury on Tuesday to play the last place Westerners. Matt Giusti is
the probable starter for the seven o'clock contest.
The Dominican Republic All Stars drop to 0-1 with the loss and will
rest at the Dan Duquette Sports Academy tonight. The team will also
have Monday off and they will return to action on Tuesday when they
travel to Fuessenich Park to play the Torrington Twisters. First
pitch is scheduled for seven o'clock.
