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| Photo Credit: Vinny Messana |
When there is a pitching match up such as Jake DeCarli verse Cody McPartland, it is expected to be a low-scoring affair. Through five innings at Golden Lions Field, it was just that–with Dowling leading 2-0 thanks to an RBI triple by Jon Cruz and RBI double by Dan Parisi.
McPartland, who had cruised through five inning with only 60 pitches, suddenly began leaving pitches out over the plate and the Pioneers were crushing them.
Lou Doria doubled off the right center field fence to score David Groeneveld which got McPartland removed from the game in favor of Andrew Sesto. After a walk, Rick Alessi followed with an RBI single to tie up the game at two. Rob Andreoli hit a parachute down the left-field line for a two-run single to give the Pioneers the lead. They added one more in the frame on a fielder’s choice.
Once DeCarli settled in, that was more than enough. Aside from the two extra-base run-scoring hits, he was nails once again. He went 7.2 innings, allowing five hits, walked four while striking out four.
His deadly two-seam fastball/slider combination was tying the Golden Lions hitters into knots.
“Every time Jake DeCarli has stepped on the mound this season, we as a team have the mindset that we are going to win,” said first baseman David Groeneveld. “He has been so dominant and it takes the pressure off us as an offense and allows us to play loose behind him,” he added.
Dillon Burke came on for him to get the last out in the eighth and throw a 1-2-3 ninth inning to seal the victory.
Doria also added a home run in the seventh inning, to the same spot as his double, but about 50 feet further–it was a Major League shot.
Dowling compiled only five hits–with no player accounting for two of those.
The Pioneers are now 10-9 on the season. They will host the DH today at noon between the same two teams.
