Six-run 7th carries Raiders past Commodores
Joel Brewton/HeraldStandard.com
Frazier’s Casey Henry, left, slides into second against Waynesburg Central’s Willie Ziefel (7) Friday at Perryopolis Community Ballfield.
Frazier's Josh Barota strikes out during the Commodores' game against Waynesburg Central at Perryopolis Community Ballfield Friday.
PERRYOPOLIS — In baseball the saying goes, walks will come back to haunt you. That was the case Friday afternoon when visiting Waynesburg was able to take advantage of those walks in the seventh inning to beat the Commodores, 6-0.
Waynesburg scored all of their runs in the seventh inning highlighted by a grand slam from Stephen McCaw. The win keeps the Raiders in the thick of the playoff race in Section 2-AA.
Waynesburg’s Alex Swauger became locked in a tight pitching duel with Frazier’s Adam Cook as both worked their way of some potentially dangerous situations during the game.
“Their guy pitched a phenomenal game and so did ours. They put up zeroes until the last inning,” Waynesburg’s Kevin Pincavitch said. “I’m proud of my seniors. They were patient at the plate, drew a couple of walks and put us in position to win the game.”
The Raiders (8-5, 11-5) had a chance to break through against Cook in the second inning. Bo Hampson walked and Colton Lippencott beat out an infield hit putting two on with no one out. Cook came back to retire the next three hitters on a pair of fly balls and a strikeout.
The Commodores (6-7, 10-9) could not come up with a key hit and stranded a runner in the bottom half of the inning. Casey Henry doubled with one out. Swauger left Henry at second on a ground ball out to second and a fly ball to center.
“We battled out of a couple of jams early in the ballgame but couldn’t get out of it in the seventh,” Frazier’s Craig Kordich said. “They got the timely hit in the right situation and they got a big win today.”
Waynesburg threatened again in the fourth. Hampson singled, stole second and was sacrificed to third where he was stranded.
In the sixth Frazier’s Robert Gondura drew a walk and was sacrificed to second. He moved to third on a wild pitch. Swauger retired to next two batters to get out of the jam.
In the seventh Waynesburg sent 11 men to the plate. Lucas Johnson drew a walk to start the inning and was sacrificed to second. After Donte Sarra walked Willie Ziefel singled driving in Johnson. Joe Monica got a walk to load the bases, then McCaw ripped a shot over the left field fence for the grand slam giving Waynesburg a 5-0 lead.
“I was able to catch a fastball down the middle. I just swung looking for a line drive,” McCaw said of his big hit. “Just before that Coach Pincavitch told me to relax and hit and make solid contact.”
The Raiders scored their final run when Hampson walked, stole second, moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on a passed ball.