


Stokes QuotesChampions aren't made in the gyms. Champions are made from something they have deep inside them - a desire, a dream, a vision.
|
Arnold Wins Pitcher's DualTEAM Sponsors
WH LEGION MVPs
2016 - Cory Hegedus2015 - Eric Loucks 2014 - Grant Fox 2013 - Tyler Lilja 2012 - Anthony Fanelli 2011 - Zach Zimmerman 2010 - Tim Norris 2009 - Jon Murphy 2008 - Dan Norris 2007 - Zack Martin 2006 - Mike Harvat 2005 - Brandon Gnesda 2004 - Dave Campbell 2003 - Tyler Anderson 2002 - Eric Floriani
By Mike Allshouse The answer was blowing in the wind at Lint Field in Irwin on Sunday, and that answer for Arnold was patience as it pulled out a 2-1 victory over West Hempfield in the opening game of the best-of-3 American Legion District 31 championship.
The wind was blowing, often times delaying the game as
the infield dust swirled around home plate. "This team is very resilient, and they are very patient
throughout the game," Arnold coach Doug Aftanas said. "It seems like in the last
three semifinal games against Irwin and today's game here, we've had innings
where we had to make some plays offensively, and we did." Arnold's Chuck Swanger walked to lead off the second,
then went to second on Joe Veltri's single. Matt Matarrese hit a grounder to
West Hempfield third baseman Steve Dubich, who scooped the ball and went to
second base trying to turn two to end the inning. Veltri was called out at
second, but the throw to first soared over the glove of Bryan Morrison, putting
Matarrese on first and allowing Swanger to score the game's first run. In the
bottom of the second inning, leadoff hitter Brandon Gnesda reached on a fielding
error, then stole second. After Dubich walked, Gnesda was out attempting to
steal third, but he twisted his ankle in a collision with Veltri. Gnesda's
injury delayed the game since West Hempfield fields just nine players, so Gnesda
returned to play with his ankle heavily wrapped. Bryan Morrison then hit a single that shot the gap
between third base and shortstop, Dubich left his perch on second, rounded third
and tied the score. West Hempfield pitcher Matt Roach, a left-hander, stepped up
after Gnesda's injury and took some of the pressure off the injured first
baseman by striking out two in the top of the third as West Hempfield retired
the side in order. Roach continued with his one-hitter through until the sixth
inning. West Hempfield had a chance to take the lead in the
bottom of the fifth inning. With two out and the bases loaded, Arnold left
fielder Matarrese made a key catch to get Arnold out of the inning. "That was
the key play of the game," Aftanas said. "(Matarrese) came up with that when
they had the bases loaded in the bottom of the fifth inning. You play up here
with the wind and that ball swirls all around, you never know where that ball is
going to go. He took a good break on the ball got a good angle on it, got to the
line and made that catch and got us out of the inning. If that ball drops in,
they score at least two runs, and then it is a different game." Besides the fifth inning offensive outburst, the middle
innings belonged to the pitchers. Arnold's Kevin Rayburn got four of his six
strikeouts in the second to sixth inning stretch. Rayburn also retired West
Hempfield's leadoff batter in the bottom of the seventh inning, setting the tone
for the inning. Arnold's winning run came with two out in the seventh. Swanger
singled, followed by a walk by Veltri. Mattarese then hit a shot down the third
base line just over Dubich's glove, scoring Swanger. "It was pitcher's duel, which it is supposed to be in a
championship series," Aftanas said. "I want to take my hat off to the West
Hempfield pitcher Roach," Aftanas said. "He kept us off-balance -- we only had
two hits up until the seventh inning. "When you get strong starting pitching and
it gives us a chance, I think that was the key." Game 2 of the series is at 5:30 p.m. today at Valley High School. |