Apponaug uses 11-run inning to down American in opener

Posted 8/7/14

The opening game of the 29th annual Red Andrews Tournament cruised along through three innings on Monday, neither Apponaug nor Warwick American gaining much separation.

In the fourth, Apponaug …

This item is available in full to subscribers.

Please log in to continue

E-mail
Password
Log in

Apponaug uses 11-run inning to down American in opener

Posted

The opening game of the 29th annual Red Andrews Tournament cruised along through three innings on Monday, neither Apponaug nor Warwick American gaining much separation.

In the fourth, Apponaug changed that in a big way.

It scored 11 runs in the top half of the inning, using five hits, four walks and two errors to distance itself and set the stage for a 13-1, mercy-rule victory.

“They had to (wake up),” said Apponaug manager Scott Rossi. “We’re too good of a team not to hit. We’re good from top to bottom.”

Apponaug will now play in the semifinals today at 6 p.m. against Warwick West Side, while American was scheduled to play again on Wednesday, with results unavailable at press time.

The championship game and consolation games following Wednesday and Thursday’s games will all be on Saturday, beginning at 12 p.m.

Monday’s game started out innocently enough. American pitcher Andrew Jiminez allowed two runs through the first three innings, only one of which was earned.

His counterpart on the other side, Apponaug’s Sammy French, matched him through 2.1, striking out four batters and allowing just one hit. Austin Noon relieved French and retired two batters in the third to keep American in the scoreboard.

“Sammy French pitched awesome,” Rossi said.

In the top of the fourth, however, Apponaug showed what it could do. James Smith and Noon singled to start the inning and Smith scored on a passed ball. Anthony Rossi and Joey LeBelle each drew walks, before Billy Leduc brought home Apponaug’s fourth run with a walk.

Jiminez bore down and got two batters out, but he was then replaced by Darius Frey, and Thomas Belanger greeted him with a two-run single to make it 6-0. A walk to Nate Thiboutot re-loaded the bases, and an error on a ball hit by Nathan Gammons plated two more runs. Another walk, followed by a two-run single by Smith made it 10-0, and two more errors and a single by LeBelle rounded out the scoring.

“Once one or two kids hit, it just follows,” Scott Rossi said.

The 11-run frame put the mercy rule in play, but American didn’t go quietly. Frey, batting first, smashed a 3-2 pitch to left-centerfield that rolled all the way to the wall. Running hard out of the box, he came all the way around with an inside-the-park home run to make it 13-1.

The next two batters, Cam Martin and Jiminez, both reached, to give Americna a little more hope, but Noon – who was still pitching for Apponaug – struck out two of the next three men and also induced a pop-up to finish the game.

Martin led the way offensively for American, getting on base twice, while Aidan Cahill had a double and James Olsen had a walk.

For Apponaug, nine of its 11 players reached base.

“The kids bats woke up and we had great pitching,” Rossi said.

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here