Dunbar’s struggles continue in 22-1 loss
CONNELLSVILLE TWP. — Dunbar ran into a situation where it just did not have enough pitching against Mitch’s Bail Bonds in Fayette County Baseball League action Tuesday evening.
Mitch’s took advantage of Dunbar’s struggles to cruise to a 22-1 win.
Mitch’s (5-1), collected 16 hits and took advantage of 14 walks and four hit batsmen en route to the win. Ethan Cieply had a big night for Mitch’ s with two hits, driving in five runs. The big hit was a bases-loaded triple in the seventh.
Isaiah Bell had two hits for the winners, including a double for two RBI. Designated hitter Pat Gannon collected two hits, including a double to drive in four runs.
“Their pitchers had a tough time throwing strikes and left a lot of baserunners out there, and we picked them up,” Mitch’s Ryan Encapera said. “It was a good day for us to get some good swings. I’m very happy we kept our focus and didn’t get sloppy in our play, which is very easy to do in a game like this.”
MBB took a 1-0 lead in the first when Mick Betler doubled and was replaced by courtesy runner Tim Madar. Bell singled to bring the run home. Mitch’s added four more runs in the third with Gannon providing the big hit with a two-run single.
Mitch’s added two more runs in the fourth when Zach Patterson started the inning with a double, followed by an infield hit from Chad Pappasergi. Derek McILvaine followed with a double, driving in both runners, increasing the lead to 7-0.
Mitch’s blew the game open in the fifth, scoring six runs. It got a two-run double from Gannon, and Betler, Cieply, Bell and Pappasergi all drove in runs during the innings, making the score 13-0.
Dunbar (0-4) avoided the shutout in the sixth. Alex Fogle was safe on an error with one out. He moved to second on a passed ball and stole third. The throw from Betler went into left field, allowing Fogle to score.
“A couple of our pitchers had sore arms, and we threw what we had tonight,” Dunbar’s Jeff McWilliams said. “They hit everything we threw at them. I told the guys sometimes you bite the dog and some days the dog bites you. We’ve got to forget about this and come back and play Friday.”
Mitch’s put up 9 runs in the top of the seventh, where Dunbar walked five batters and hit another. Cieply highlighted the inning, driving in three runs on a bases-loaded triple.