Twisters hold on for 1-0
win in suspended game against Dukes
Michael Radomski
(PITTSFIELD, Mass.) – In a
suspended game resumed from July 18th, the Torrington Twisters kept
their playoff hopes alive with a 1-0 victory at Wahconah Park.
On July 18th, Torrington took a first inning lead against Dukes
starter Alex MacKenzie (Canisius) on an RBI single from Joe De Pinto
(USC). Twister starter Andrew Triggs (USC) retired Craig Hertler
(San Jose State) and was ahead of Jason Martin (San Jose State) 1-2
when the game went into a rain delay and was later postponed.
In the continuation of the game this afternoon, Michael Ness (Duke)
took over for Pittsfield while Alex Valadja (JMU) came in to pitch
for Torrington. Both pitchers kept the opposition scoreless as they
piled up the strikeouts.
Ness pitched the rest of the way for the Dukes only allowing an
infield single to Jimmy Rivas (New Haven) in the third inning. The
right handed pitcher retired eighteen of the nineteen hitters he
faced, keeping the Dukes’ offense in the game, and striking out four
hitters.
Valadja also kept the Dukes off the scoreboard allowing four hits
and striking out six in his 5 2/3 innings of relief. Valadja would
get into a jam in the 3rd and 5th innings but was able to work
himself out of trouble.
In the bottom of the third, Valadja set down the first two hitters
but, but following back to back singles, Chris Edmondson (Le Moyne)
would draw a walk to load up the bases. Jason Krizan (Dallas
Baptist) then struck out to end the inning leaving three runners on
base.
In the fifth, Perry Silverman (Canisius) led off with a single, but
Billy Messer (Slippery Rock) failed to drop down a sacrifice bunt
and struck out. Hertler and Martin would both ground-out as the
left-hander worked out of another jam.
Closer Robert Chimpky (Utah) came into the game in the seventh and
retired the Dukes in order to preserve the 1-0 victory.
The win marks the first time Torrington has defeated the Dukes this
season as the Twisters improve to 13-23. Torrington will travel back
home tonight, have the night off, and host the Pittsfield Dukes in a
doubleheader tomorrow beginning at five o’clock.
Pittsfield’s record drops to 22-14 and the Dukes will host the Keene
Swamp Bats in the second game of their twi-night doubleheader. Louie
Bernardini (Wheaton College) will start game two with a record of
1-1 and an earned run average of 5.85. Game number two is scheduled
to begin at seven o’clock at Wahconah Park.
Fans can listen to 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).
