|
Cumberland American edges Lincoln |
|
|
Tuesday, 08 July 2008 |
|
By BRENDAN MCGAIR Sports writer CUMBERLAND – There was a premium placed on last night’s District IV pool play contest between Lincoln and the hosts from Cumberland American.
Both teams brought 1-0 records to Garvin Field, and with pool play nearing the midway point, victories are held with even higher regard.
Turns out runs were also highly valued, for there wasn’t much scoring to write home about. Cumberland American featured a nice blend of pitching, power and defense to eek out a thrilling 2-1 win over the league’s perennial power, Lincoln.
Pool play marches on for both with Lincoln hosting East Woonsocket on Wednesday while Cumberland American heads to Bernon.
Brian Belisle, son of head coach Dave Belisle, provided all the offense his club would need with one mighty swing. Belisle, who started at second base before shifting to catcher later on, connected on a 2-1 offering from Lincoln starter Jarrod Peloquin that took a huge hop off the basketball court beyond the right-centerfield fence.
Belisle’s home run, a two-run shot, was all the offense Cumberland American would muster.
The only other hit the hosts managed was a single from pinch hitter Zack Noe in the fourth inning. “No,” said the elder Belisle with a grin when asked if Brian’s round tripper would hold up through 5 1/2 pressure-packed innings.
Cumberland American rode the power arms of starter Jesse Gilbert, who earned the win with 4 1/3 strong innings, and reliever Pete Travers, who combined to limit Lincoln to four hits and strike out nine.
“Jesse features a curve and a three-quarters delivery that was effective when he needed it,” said Dave Belisle.
“They were both phenomenal,” was the compliment made by Lincoln coach Charlie Hein, who returns to the dugout after a one-year absence.
Cumberland American’s well-rounded victory was complete thanks to some timely flashing of the leather. Lincoln’s Jarrod Peloquin lined a shot to begin the fifth, but a nice sliding catch from center fielder Chris Cambio helped take away extra bases.
Cambio’s catch was magnified even more as the next batter for Lincoln, pinch hitter Will Britt, hit a solo home run to reduce Cumberland American’s lead in half.
“I looked at Chris and with thumbs up said ‘You made the play of the game,’” said Dave Belisle.
“We caught a couple of tough breaks,” said Hein, making note of a laser Peloquin clanked off the yellow rail in the third. A couple of inches were all the stood between Peloquin a long single and home run.
After surrendering Brian Belisle’s homer and a long foul ball to Travers, Peloquin settled down. He ended up going 3 1/3 innings, striking out four while walking two. He retired eight in a row at one point.
Every member of the Lincoln pitching staff seemed to pick each other up. Doug Harrison inherited a dicey situation in the fourth (two on with one down) that was stretched to bases loaded with one out for Cumberland American.
Harrison got his teammates back in the dugout with two big-time strikeouts, keeping Lincoln’s deficit to a manageable two runs.
Jon McCourt returned the favor to Harrison in the fifth, stranding two with a strikeout to end the inning. “Everyone bailed each other out,” was how Hein described his hurlers.
Both teams had chances but combined to strand 13.
Lincoln’s last gasp featured a one-out walk to Tyler Duquette, but Travers ended things with a groundout back to the hill and a swinging strikeout.
Both sides spoke about the significance surrounding last evening’s contest.
“You don’t want to head into those final stages of pool play needing wins,” said Dave Belisle. “This takes a little bit of the pressure off, but we’re not done yet.”
“I was pleased with the way we bounced back after the first inning,” said Hein. “We’re just going to have to win our next ballgames.”
***
Lincoln 000 010 – 1-4-1
Cumberland American 200 00x – 2-2-0
Jarrod Peloquin, Doug Harrison (4), Jon McCourt (5) and Steve McManus. Jesse Gilbert, Pete Travers (5) and Travers, Brian Belisle (5). HR: Will Britt; Brian Belisle.
|
|
Last Updated ( Thursday, 10 July 2008 )
|
Horoscope
