Gernatts advances in Babe Ruth playoffs
Monday July 30, 2012 | By:Mark Benton | Sports
HEADING TO THE PLAYOFFS — Matt Christopher (#22) is one of the top hitters for Gernatts as they head into the East Lake Babe Ruth Baseball playoffs. (Photo by Mark Benton)
The first round of the East Babe Ruth Baseball playoffs took place on Monday, July 23 at Panther Park in Gowanda. Gernatts advanced to the second round with a convincing 15-5 win over neighboring Forestville.Gernatts opened the scoring with three runs in the bottom of the first inning on consecutive hits by Matt Kruszka, Shane DeLeo and Carter Benton. The home team tacked on another run in the second before Forestville broke up the shutout.
Gernatts again increased their lead to 10-1 when Kruszka hit an inside-the-park grand-slam homer.
In the top of the fourth, Forestville fought back and crossed the plate four times to cut the lead in half. Back came Gernatts with five more in the bottom of the fifth as Kruszka and Benton each collected their third hits in the contest.
With a 10-run lead after five innings, the game could have ended when the Mercy rule came into effect. However, both teams agreed to let Forestville bat in the top of the sixth. The visitors did not score and both teams called it a night.
Gernatts received a very good offensive effort as Brandon Arrigo, Shawn Daniels, Kyle Farner, Jon McCarthy, Matt Christopher and Josh Balzer all had hits. Defensively, Kruszka started on the mound and pitched the first three innings. Christopher came on in relief and threw the fourth and fifth innings. Jack Van Wey tossed the last inning and did not allow a run.
The win will move Gernatts into the quarterfinals with a game against Frewsburg in Frewsburg on July 26. The winner advances to the semi-finals at Diethrick Park in Jamestown on July 30.
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