Newport four run ninth
inning ends Pittsfield’s seven game winning streak
Michael Radomski
(PITTSFIELD, Mass.) – In a
marathon ballgame that ended on All Star Sunday, the visiting
Newport Gulls defeated the first place Pittsfield Dukes 10-8 with a
four ninth inning to win it.
The game between the top two teams in the NECBL Southern Division
was scheduled to begin at seven o’clock, but was moved back due to
an extra-inning Babe Ruth State Tournament game. Just when the two
teams were ready to play ball, an impending rain shower moved
through much of Western Massachusetts to delay the game.
Luckily, the Dukes put the tarp down in time and the two teams were
able to start playing baseball at 9:08 PM. Alex MacKenzie (Canisius)
took the hill for the second straight night for Pittsfield. The
Dukes were scheduled to play a doubleheader against the Torrington
Twisters last night, but the game was called in the bottom of the
first inning, after MacKenzie pitched the first.
MacKenzie and Gulls starter Jared Prince (Wahingston State) kept
both offenses scoreless over the first four innings but key injuries
to the Dukes was the story early on.
Jayson Langfels (Eastern Kentucky) left the game in the top of the
third inning on a hard hit ball to third. The Dukes then moved a
multitude of players around to cover the position. All Star Jake
Rosenbeck moved from shortstop to third base, as All Star Jason
Martin came in from centerfield to man the shortstop position.
Domenic DiRicco (Cornell University) moved from right field to
center and Perry Silverman (Canisius) came into the game, batting
seventh and playing right field. Pittsfield also lost catcher J.T.
Musso (BYU) in the bottom of the inning when he fouled a ball off on
a check swing right back into his face. Musso would leave the game
on his own power and Kevin Clements (Manchester CC) took his spot
behind the plate.
The scoreless game was broken open in the top of the fifth inning as
Newport would score four runs in the inning. The Dukes would commit
two errors in the inning and the Gulls would take advantage. A two
run single from Alex Gregory (Radford University) and a sacrifice
fly from Kyle Conley (University of Washington) gave Newport the 4-0
lead.
The Dukes would reply with their first run of the game on an RBI
single from Kevin Clements to close the gap to three runs. Newport
would take the run right back in the top of the sixth inning off
Dukes reliever Mike Woytek (Wright State) when Nick Santomauro
(Dartmouth) singled up the middle to take a 5-1 lead.
Pittsfield would counter in the bottom of the sixth inning against
Jared Prince and Tom Costigan (Manhattan) when the Dukes would bat
around and score five runs in the inning. Back to back singles from
All Star Matt Adams (Slippery Rock) and Rosenbeck would get the
Dukes going and an RBI fielder’s choice from Silverman closed the
gap to three runs. DiRicco reached on an error by Dan Poutier
(Pensacola CC), one of three on the evening, and Jason Martin would
draw a walk to load up the bases. Costigan then entered the game and
walked in a run when All Star Craig Hertler would draw ball four.
Clements then followed with a two run single to third base over Mike
Tamsin (Northeastern) to tie up the game. All Star Chris Edmondson
(Le Moyne) then gave Pittsfield the lead with an RBI groundout for
their first lead of the game.
Newport would tie up the game in the top of the seventh inning when
All Star Mike Melillo (Elon) singled to center field and Conley
would score on the throwing error from Hertler to the plate, one of
four in the game for the Dukes second baseman.
In the bottom of the seventh, Pittsfield answered to take their
second lead of the game. Adams led off the inning with a walk, and
Rosenbeck followed with a bunt. Costigan fielded and threw to second
but Adams beat the throw to put runners at first and second with no
one out. Silverman dropped down a sacrifice bunt, and Costigan threw
it into right field. Adams scored on the play to put Pittsfield
ahead 7-6. With first and third and no out out, the Newport defense
played in, and record a 3-1-4 groundout for the first out of the
inning. All Star Taylor Meehan (Harvard) threw home to retire
Rosenbeck for the second out. Hertler then hit a slow roller to
second that went under the glove of Poutier and into left field.
Silverman scored on the play and Pittsfield would take an 8-6 lead
into the 9th inning.
Manager Mike Marron opted to keep Mike Woytek in the game for the
ninth inning instead of bringing in All Star closer Zach Anderson.
Woytek did retire the last five batters he faced, including four
hitters by way of the strikeout.
Woytek retired Tamsin but Gregory reached on a bloop single to right
field. Kyle Conley followed with a game-tying two run home run to
left center field, just the third home run hit at Wahconah Park this
season. The game officially moved into Sunday morning as the clock
read midnight and Newport continued the rally against reliever Jake
Sabol (Central Michigan). After Woytek walked Mike Melillo, Jake
Sabol entered the game and allowed a single to Ryan Wiegand
(Gonzaga). With runners at second, Meehan singled up the middle as
Newport regained the lead 9-8. Meehan then stole second base, and
the throw from Clements went off of Hertler’s glove and into
centerfield. Ryan Wiegand scored on the error and Newport handed the
ball to All star closer Dan Mahoney (UCONN) with a 10-8 lead.
Mahoney walked Rosenbeck to start the inning, but retired the next
three hitters to end the inning in a marathon ballgame that ended at
12:18 AM on Sunday morning. 1305 fans stayed through the 2 hour and
8 minute rain delay to start and the nine-inning game to follow.
Fireworks were scheduled after the game as the make-up date for
Friday’s doubleheader rainout, but the city of Pittsfield called the
extravaganza off due to noise ordinances.
Newport improves to 18-15 on the season and now trails the first
place Dukes by just two games. With the loss, the Pittsfield Dukes
lose their first contest in eight games as the first place lead
shrinks by one game. Pittsfield’s record currently stands at 19-12
on the season.
Both teams have Sunday off but will each have eight representatives
playing in the All Star Game at Fuessenich Park in Torrington, CT.
Gametime is scheduled for six o’clock with various activities being
held before first pitch. Scheduled events include a skills
competition, mascot challenge, and Home Run Derby beginning at 1:30.
The Dukes next game will be at the Danbury Westerners on Tuesday
night beginning at seven o’clock. Louie Bernardini (Wheaton College)
is the probable starter.
The next Dukes home game is Wednesday night when Pittsfield hosts
the Manchester Silkworms in a potential playoff preview beginning at
seven o’clock.
Fans can listen to the game and all Pittsfield Dukes games on the
NECBL Broadcast Network by going to the site at http://www.teamline.cc/sportpage?teamcode=6301&eventcode=5
Tickets are still available for Dukes’ games at Wahconah Park.
Tickets can be purchased at the Dukes box office at 105 Wahconah
Street or by calling 413 447 DUKE (3853).
