Gulls
take 1st game over Dukes 13-5 with 3 Kyle Conley home runs
by: Michael Radomski
(NEWPORT, Rhode Island) –
Kyle Conley (Univ of Washington) went 5 for 5 with 3 home runs and
as the Newport Gulls won game one in the best of three series
against the Pittsfield Dukes tonight at Cardines Field.
In a battle for the Southern Division Championship, Pittsfield would
score first against Gulls starter Geoff Brown (Univ of Washington).
Dukes second baseman Craig Hertler (San Jose State) would score on
an error from shortstop Cody Grisham (Univ of Tennessee) to give
Pittsfield the 1-0 advantage.
Dukes starter Mike Woytek (Wright State) would allow a leadoff
single, but retire the next two hitters before entering a two-out
jam. Alex Gregory (Radford University) hit an RBI single to right
field to tie the game at one. Gregory would then score on the first
of three home runs from Conley, a two run home run, to put Newport
ahead 3-1.
Gulls centerfielder Kyle Rhoad (Eastern Michigan) added a two run
home run in the second inning to give Newport a four run lead, and
Conley would add another two run home run in the third inning as the
Gulls led 7-1 after three.
Woytek pitched 2 2/3 innings, allowing seven runs (all earned) on
seven hits. His counterpart, Geoff Brown, got himself into a few
jams as well but was able to work out of them, stranding three in
the Dukes third inning and eight over his six innings of work. Brown
allowed two runs including a Jake Rosenbeck (Buffalo) solo home run
in the sixth before leaving the ballgame.
Conley would add another two run home run in the 8th inning as
Newport would go on to win game one 13-5. The two teams will meet on
Wednesday night at Wahconah Park beginning at seven o’clock. Stephen
Peterson (Marist College) and Louie Bernardini (Wheaton College) are
listed as the probable starters. Peterson was 2-0 with a 2.91 earned
run average in the regular season while Bernardini was 1-2 with a
5.91 ERA.
This is a must-win game for Pittsfield with the Dukes down by a game
in the best of three series.
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).
