by Matt Dzenawager
The East Coast Jays won a tight game Wednesday evening thanks to their stellar pitching.
The Jays allowed just two hits in a 2-1 victory against the Rising Star Junior Ducks.
Lefty Anthony Jacabacci took the hill for the Jays and delivered. Jacabacci pitched three scoreless innings, giving up no hits, allowing only two players to reach base. Ducks number three-hitter Mike Prisco got on base after Jacabacci hit him with a pitch in the top of the first and Ryan Micheli reached base after a dropped 3rd strike in the top of the second.
Leo Alvarez came in relief for the Jays in the fourth inning. Alvarez pitched three innings, gave up one run, and allowed two singles. The two singles were the only hits for the Ducks throughout the game.
The one run that Alvarez conceded was knocked in by Ducks relief pitcher Alex Lido. Lido hit a line drive up the middle to tie the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth inning.
The Jays responded in the top of the fifth. Catcher Chris Murphy hit a single to right field with one out and immediately after James Capozzi hit a line drive double to deep left field to knock Murphy in, giving the Jays a one run lead.
The Ducks threatened to tie the game multiple times. In the bottom of the fifth inning Ryan Micheli got on base with a single up the middle, and Prisco was called on to pinch run for the catcher. Prisco stole second base and then on a wild pitch he stole third and rounded the base to head home where he was tagged out.
Later, in the bottom of the seventh inning Prisco walked, stole second, then advanced to third on a wild pitch. With two outs and the tying run on third, Jays closer Noah Eisel sealed the victory forcing a foul ball pop out to his catcher.
After his RBI in the top of the fifth ended up being the deciding factor, Capozzi described his simple approach at the plate “I was just thinking, put the ball in play” the third baseman said “just bring in that run, just to get ahead.”
The Jays improve to 6-4-2 on the season after the victory, while the Ducks fall to 3-4.
