The Warriors pounded out eleven hits and their eight runs against three Golden Tide pitchers to pick up the victory. Curwensville had beaten the Warriors earlier this year 7-6 in nine innings. The Tide are now 13-5 on the 2010 campaign.
Curwensville scored it’s first run of the game in the top half of the second inning when Shae Best reached on an error followed by a walk to Jonathan Michaels.
Boone McGary picked up a bunt single for the Tide loading the bases with Jed Greslick singling to left field to score Best.
West Branch scored in each of the first three innings to take a 5-1 lead after three frames were completed. The Warriors scored twice in the first and third and once in the second. Brandon Speigle belted a lead off solo home run in the third for the Warriors.
The Tide took the lead in the top of the fourth inning as they scored five times.
Garrett LaBorde started it all with a walk but was later erased on a fielder’s choice, then Greslick reached base on a throwing error that sent the senior to second.
Jesse Zorger then got on due to another Warrior miscue that had Greslick scoring and Zorger going to second on the play.
Alex Holland drew a base on balls putting Tide runners at first and second. Both Zorger and Holland moved up on a base on a Warrior passed ball.
Curwensville second baseman Brett Sutika grabbed an RBI when he got to first base on an infield single that scored Zorger.
It was Shane Hoover coming up big for the Tide as he smashed a three run home run to left center field to give the Tide a 6-5 edge after five innings.
Curwensville would maintain the one run edge until the Warriors tallied three times in the bottom of the sixth inning against Tide relief pitcher Holland, who would take the loss.
Sutika had two hits for Curwensville on the afternoon while the Warriors were led by Curtis Baugh, Brandon Speigle, Dylan Corl, and Chad Speigle all with two hits. Corl had a double for one of his hits.
Tide head coach Denny Johns said afterwards, “It was one of those games where both squads played a lot of players. West Branch really hit the ball very well all afternoon. They made a few more plays than we did, especially on offense.”
The Golden Tide will travel to Punxsutawney on Friday to battle the Chucks. Game time is 4:15 pm.
Curwensville has earned the number five seed in the District 9 “A” Tournament that starts on Tuesday. The Tide will be at home in a first round game against the number 12 seed, Keystone. That contest will start at 4:30 pm.
NOTE: Listen to Curwensville baseball and softball throughout the District 9 playoffs on WOKW-FM, 102.9 with the pre-game starting at 4:15 pm on Monday and Tuesday.
On Monday the Lady Tide will meet Johnsonburg at Curwensville in a 4:30 pm start in first round action. The Lady Tide are the seventh seed while the Ramettes are the tenth seed.
CURWENSVILLE – 6
Jed Greslick ss/p/ss 4111, Wes McGarry p/lf 2000, Jesse Zorger lf 2100, Sam Gardner cf/2b 1000, Alex Holland p 1100, Brett Sutika 2b/ss/2b 4120, Shane Hoover 3b 4113, Shae Best lf/cf 3100, Jonathan Michaels c 1000, Kyle Bloom c 1000, Boone McGary 1b 3010, Garrett LaBorde rf 2000, TOTALS – 28 6 5 4
WEST BRANCH – 8
Curtis Baugh 2b/ss 4220, Todd Rees cf/2b 0000, Brandon Speigle dh 4221, Dylan Corl ss/p 4221, Ryan Wesesky c 1001, Walker Rhinehart cr 0000, Luke Burnisky c 1001, Chad Speigle rf 4022, Aaron Lidgett lf 4110, Ben Hubler lf 0000, Tyler Bell 1b 2000, Ronnie Gurbal 1b 1000, Gavin Luzier 3b 1000, Adam Timchak 3b 1000, Chris Beveridge p 2011, Kyler 2b 1110, TOTALS – 30 8 11 7
SCORE BY INNINGS R H E
CURWENSVILLE 010 050 0 6 5 2
WEST BRANCH 212 003 x 8 11 5
ERRORS – Hoover, LaBorde, Bell, Baugh 2, Kyler 2 LOB – CURWENSVILLE – 5 WEST BRANCH – 7 2B – Lidgett HR – B. Speigle (solo, 3rd), Hoover (three run, 5th) SB – Corl SAC – Rees DP – CURWENSVILLE – 1 WEST BRANCH – 1 HBP – Wesesky (by Holland)
PITCHING
CURWENSVILLE
McGarry 2 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 0 K
Greslick 1 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 3 K
Holland 3 IP, 4 H, 3 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HB
WEST BRANCH
Beveridge 3 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
CORL 4 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
WP – Corl LP – Holland (0-1)
