For the second straight game the Whitesboro Warriors got a complete game from their starting pitcher, this time it was MJ Hajec. On offense Mike Sullivan and Ryan Watson had two hits apiece as Whitesboro (3-2) defeated Westhill (3-3) by a score of 11-1.
The Game was shortened to 6 innings by the 10 run tournament mercy rule.
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After a scoreless top half of the first inning, Westhill grabbed a 1-0 lead in the home half when Dan Karneski smacked a two out single, then proceeded to steal second and third on consecutive pitches.
(Whitesboro's MJ Hajec (5) delivers a second inning strike.)
Coreyn Hewitt then reached first on a throwing error by Whitesboro thuird baseman Vin Barbato, scoring Karneski from third to give Westhill a 1-0 lead after 1.
After neither team was able to plate a run in the second inning, Whitesboro broke out in the top half of the third. Sophomore designated hitter Dan Cecilia started things off with a single to left and was quickly bunted to second by Alec Brindisi, who was called out on a close play at first.
Cecilia went to third on a past ball and Mike Sullivan was hit by the next pitch from Westhill starter Mike McMullen. Sullivan stole second on the next pitch, setting up runners at second and third with one away.
(Matt Cornmire (12) uncorks a 2 RBI single in the Warriors 4 run third inning.)
Connor Passalaqua was intentionally walked to create a double play opportunity but Ryan Watson had other plans, belting a double to right center, scoring Sullivan and Cecilia to make it 2-1 Whitesboro.
Matt Cornmire then stepped up to the plate and cranked a double to left center, scoring Passalaqua and Watson to give Whitesboro's Warriors a 4-1 lead over the Warriors of Westhill, which is the way the top half of the third would end.
After a goose egg by Whitesboro in the top of the fourth, Westhill saw a golden opportunity slip away with runners at 2nd and 3rd with one out in the bottom of fourth.
(Westhill catcher Nate Nagolian (8) does a great job blocking home plate as he stops Whitesboro's Matt Cornmire (12) from scoring late in the game.)
Hajec reared back and struck out Westhill's big hitting right fielder Mike Fagan to end the end the Westhill threat and keep things 4-1 in favor of Whitesboro.
Whitesboro tacked on their 5th run in the top half of the frame when Brendan Heitz was knocked in on a sacrafice off the bat of Matt Cornmire, who gave Westhill reliever Dan Lowery a not so friendly welcome to the mound.
Westhill seemed poised to get things going in the top of the fifth when Hajec walked Jake Hush and gave up a sharp single to Greg Schmidt. Hajec then got Mike McMullen to fly out to center for the first out.
(Warriors center fielder Brendan Heitz (4) flashes a little leather.)
Dan Karleski then stepped in and grounded sharply to Whitesboro shortstop Mike Sullivan who alertly took it himself, touched second, leaped over a sliding Schmidt and fired to first for a dramatic inning ending double play.
Vin Barbato, Alec Brindisi, Sullivan, Heitz, Watson and Cornmire all came across to score in the top of the sixth for Whitesboro, as the Warriors banged out 3 hits. Westhill helped the Whtiesboro cause with four fielding errors to help the blue and white open up an 11-1 lead.
Hajec finished things off in the bottom of the 6th for a complete game victory, scattering 4 hits and striking out 4.
Whitesboro, 2-0 in tournament play will take on Elmira Southside tomorrow morning in nearby Conway, South Carolina, while Westhill, 0-2 in the Mingo, will take on Kenmore East.
(Whitesboro first baseman Ryan Watson reacts to the big win.)
Whitesboro 11 Westhill 1
Box Score
1 2 3 4 5 6 x R H E
Whitesboro 0 0 4 0 1 6 x 11 9 2
Westhill 1 0 0 0 0 0 x 1 4 7
WP Hajec (1-1)
LP McMullen
