Brownsville falls to Prexies
REPUBLIC – Brownsville could’ve solidified its position for a Section 2-AA playoff berth with a win at home over section-leading Washington Monday. As it is now, the Falcons are tied with Waynesburg Central and Beth-Center on the outside looking in at the last playoff spot after Brad Poland scattered five hits and stranded seven Falcons to lead the Prexies to a 5-1 victory.
Something will have to give Wednesday when Brownsville (5-6, 7-12) travels to Waynesburg Central and Beth-Central plays at Washington. The win secured a playoff berth for the Prexies, the only team to do so in the section with two days remaining.
“This section is the most evenly matched from top to bottom,” said Washington coach Bob Peton, whose Prexies (7-3, 9-5) play Charleroi today. “Nobody can take it easy.”
The problem for Skooter Roebuck’s squad was one that has repeated itself a number of times in recent games – the lack of baserunners. Brownsville was not able to string together more than one of its five hits in any inning, leaving six runners in scoring position.
“It’s the same exact thing that happened as the Beth-Center game. It’s a carbon copy,” said Roebuck. “Washington’s a good team that’s going to score at least four, five runs a game. We just didn’t have enough baserunners.
“We didn’t have the opportunity to move runners up. They add a run, and add a run. That takes us out of our game.”
Brownsville was living on the edge early when Washington loaded the bases in the top of the second, but starting pitcher Dave Novotney and his defense stood strong to allow only one run.
The Falcons tied the game in the bottom of the inning after Nick Eadie opened with a walk, and then stole second. Poland retired the next two batters, but Matt Szuch lined the first of his three singles into left field. The ball kicked away from the leftfielder and Eadie came around to tie the game.
Novotney retired the side in the third and fourth innings, and Poland stranded Mike Mihalsky at second base after he smacked a double into deep right centerfield.
Novotney again escaped a potential big inning when Washington stranded two runners in scoring position in the top of the fifth after Ramonte Barfield beat the throw home on Drew Presto’s safety squeeze.
“We knew we were still in the game,” said Roebuck of his team’s demeanor.
Szuch’s second single in the bottom of the inning put Brownsville in business, and he was moved to second on Nick Jellots’ sacrifice. P.J. Lanzi’s ground ball to third caught Szuch in no man’s land with the centerfielder eventually caught in a rundown with Lanzi moving to second. Poland closed the threat with an easy fly ball to right.
Bob Hasson walked to open the sixth inning and eventually came around to score on Tanner Corby’s single. Washington added two more runs in the seventh on Mike Damerow’s lead-off book rule double, a wild pitch, a walk and an error.
Brownsville made one last run at the Prexies with Szuch’s third single and a two-out walk to Lanzi. Poland ended the threat and the game with an easy infield ground out.
The Prexies received seven walks, a stat that caught Roebuck’s attention.
“We let too many baserunners on with walks. We need to throw more strikes,” said Roebuck.
Peton didn’t plan on Poland going the distance, but the big right-handed pitcher made the decision easy.
“He’s my fifth pitcher. I haven’t had too many guys go seven innings,” said Peton. “Poland did a really good job. I’m pleased with the way he pitched.”
With their backs to the wall, Roebuck hasn’t given up hope just yet.
“We’re still going to play to win at Waynesburg,” concluded Roebuck.