Warhawks Hold On For 6-3 Win Over Bulldogs
After clinching the Liberty district regular season crwon with a victory over Langley on Monday night, the Stone Bridge Bulldogs had one game left against the Madison Warhawks. The game was originally scheduled for Friday night. But due to the impending rain forecast, many area games were moved up 24 hours including this one. Head Coach Sam Plank put the ball in Jr RHP Nick Fialdini's hands, while Coach Mark "Pudge" Gjormand countered with RHP Matt Zepp.
Sr C Brian Wheaton struck out. Jr RF Michael Prince singled. Jr LF Johnny Bladel struck out. Sr SS Mike Stancik doubled, plating Prince for the first run of the game. Jr 1B Patrick Thompson popped out, ending the inning. Kyle McIntyre flew out to Bladel. Casey Turner singled to right. Brig Tison grounded to Jr 3B Pat Piccolo, with Turner moving to second. Alex Jacquez took a Fialdini 0-2 offering over the center field fence for a 2 run bomb, as the Warhawks took the lead. Andrew Schrock was safe on an infield error by Thompson. Ted Williams flew out to Bladel to end the frame.
Sr 2B Collin Pearson led off the second with a single. Fr DH J.J. White struck out. Piccolo struck out. With Sr CF Matt Irwin at the plate, Pearson stole second. Irwin struck out to end the frame. David Fathalakhani grounded to Piccolo. Zepp popped out to Thompson. TJ Ehrsham walked. McIntyre singled, with Ehrsham moving to second. Turner struck out to end the inning.
In the third, Wheaton flew out. Prince flew out. Bladel grounded out. Tison led off for the Warhawks with a walk. He moved to second on a wild pitch. Jacquez grounded to Piccolo. Tison stole third base. Schrock singled, scoring Tison. Williams was hit by a pitch. On an attempted bunt by Fathalakhani, Wheaton attempted a pick off of Schrock at second. The throw was wide of second and Schrock was able to score on the play. Fathalakhani struck out. Zepp popped out to Thompson to end the inning.
In the fourth, Stancik struck out. Thompson was safe at first on a infield error, as the firstbaseman dropped the throw. Pearson singled, moving Thompson to second. White picked up an infield single loading the bases. But Piccolo and Irwin both struck out to end the scoring threat. Fialdini got Ehrsham on a called third strike. McIntyre singled. He moved to second on a balk. Turner doubled, scoring McIntyre. Coach Plank went to the pen, bringing in Sr RHP Mike Palmer. A wild pitch moved Turner to third. Tison singled, plating Turner. Jacquez struck out. Schrock was hit by a pitch. Williams was hit by pitch, loading the bases. But Palmer struck out Fathalakhani to stem the tide.
To start the fifth, Coach Gjormand brought in Schrock to pitch. Wheaton lined out. Prince struck out. Bladel walked. Stancik singled with Bladel moving to third, and Stancik alertly taking second on the throw in. Thompson struck out to end the frame. Zepp hit a comebacker to Palmer, who made a nice play. Ehrsham singled. McIntyre struck out. Ehrsham stole second. Turner lined out to end the fifth.
In the sixth, Pearson led off with a single, his third hit of the game. White grounded out, with Pearson moving to second. Fr pinch hitter Spencer Rositano was out trying for a bunt base hit on a close play, as Pearson moved to third. Jr pinch hitter Bryce Williams was hit by pitch putting runners on the corners. Wheaton came through, singling up the middle and scoring Pearson. Irwin, who had re-entered for Williams had to stop at second. Jr pinch hitter Alec Whys singled, scoring Irwin and it looked like the Bulldogs may be able to rally back in this game. But Bladel grounded out to end the frame. Coach Plank dipped into the bullpen again, this time bringing in Jr lefty Ryan Cummings. Tison grounded to Stancik, who made a nice play on a slow roller. Jacquez struck out. Schrock grounded out to Stancik.
Coach Gjormand brought in Sr RHP Jesse Jeter to close the game. He got Stancik on a swinging strike out. Thompson walked. Pearson struck out. Thompson stole second. Jeter ended the game getting White on strikes.
The Bulldogs finish the regular season at 17-3 on the year and 12-2 in Liberty district play. This is the best regular season record for the Stone Bridge in their 8 year history. With Madison's win, and Langley defeating McLean this evening, there is a 3 way tie for second in the Liberty. The tiebreakers will have to be sorted out to see who gets seeds 2-4. The Liberty district tournament begins on Tuesday, May 13. The Bulldogs next game will be in the tournament semi finals. That game will be on Friday, May 16 and held at Madison HS. First pitch is scheduled for 5 PM.
