Wed. 6/8 (New Scotland) - The 55-Pirates took on the 55-Angels in a tilt at the venerable Bill Burgoon Field at Swift Road Town Park, on a picture perfect night for baseball. The Buccos were facing long-time nemesis, Jim Konstantkis, who has had the Swashbucklers' number over the last few regular season and playoff match-ups. The visiting Black & Gold, wielding bats from the scabbards and struck early witha quick run strike, unleashing 7-hits, and a hit batsman, to notch a 6-spot in the opening frame capped by a 2-run bingle off the bat of the ageless Artie Gianakos, as the Bucs sent 11 men to the plate.
That barrage was more than crafty lefty Eric Westfall would need, as he twirled a 3-hit gem over 5-innings, allowing one earned run in the 16-2 Pirates victory. He escaped a rocky 3rd, when the Angels got on the board on ribbys from Mal Hinman and John Reel, and were threatening with bases drunk with Halos. After a brief mound visit, Westfall got a backwards punch out to squash the rally.
This game was a full Pirates team win, as 15 of 16 players all made contributions, and each got good time in the field and at least two ABs apiece, and 12-men went to the plate in game deciding 6-run outburst in the 5th, to reach the game ending procedure rule.
Pirates return to action with back-to-back Ws, when they face the Americans at the A-Diamond on Wednesday. Good luck to the Angels, led by Manager Tom Maney and a roster of CD-MSBL HOF'ers,who are not only good players, but each a great guy outside the lines!
Pirates: Dom Carnibucci 2-4 1 r, 1 rbi, 1 SB Ken Shaw 2-2 3 r (and his usual stellar work in LF) Jim Ansel 2-2 3 r, rbi EJ Seney 3-4 2 r, 3 rbi (and a flawless debut at shortstop) Thanks Ray for the 1B scoops! Greg Allen 1-2 3 r, 2 rbi ( a wall behind the plate) Jim Denney 2-2 2 r, 2 rbi (and robbed of at least one more ribby when his line shot took out the base umpire) Art Gianakos 1-3, 4 rbi
IP H R ER BB K Hbp Eric Wesfall WP (1-1) 5 3 2 1 2 2 1
Angels: Jim McQuade 1-3 John Reel 1-2, rbi (and a great backhand running grab on a Meandro liner ticketed to the gap) Mal Hinman 1 r, 1 rbi TJ Scorsone 1-2 (2B), 1 r
