×

Another day, another big region win for Dragons

Derek Knapp had a strong day at the plate for Warren in their 6-4 Region 6 win at Corry.

CORRY – Make it two region victories in two days from Warren.

The Dragons used a gritty pitching performance from Matt Leonard and made just enough plays in the field to knock off Region 6 foe Corry, 6-4, at the Ballpark at Columbus on Tuesday.

Leonard pitched a complete game, scattering nine hits while walking none and striking out six. None of Corry’s four runs in the game were earned.

“Matt pitched tough,” said Warren coach Rick Eaton. “We made a few errors that made him throw a few extra pitches, but we kept chipping away and got six runs.”

Warren drew first blood, scoring a single run in the top of the first inning. With one out, Colby Johnson walked and moved to second on a bloop single by Austyn Cummings. Johnson then scored on a single to left field by Seth Baldensperger. Corry pitcher Kameron Beeman then was able to retire Aidan Morrison by lineout and Nate Betts on strikes to end the inning.

“Seth had a couple of big hits for us today,” Eaton said. “He, Colby, and Derek (Knapp) all came up big in spots that we needed them to today.”

Corry threatened to score in the bottom of the inning when Cole Redrup doubled with two outs. But Warren catcher Owen Balas, filling in for the banged up Morrison, eliminated the threat by catching Redrup stealing.

The Beavers were able to pick up three unearned runs in the bottom of the second, but Warren quickly tied the game in the top of the third. Derek Knapp led off the inning with a single and moved to second on a single by Johnson. A grounder by Cummings was then mishandled, allowing Knapp to score and Cummings to reach second. Cummings then scored on a single by Seth Baldensperger to tie the game.

The Dragons took the lead for good in the top of the fifth when Cummings scored Knapp with a sacrifice fly. Warren’s last two runs came in the sixth when Evan Tremblay scored on a wild pitch and Knapp drove in Mitch Grosch with a double down the right field line.

“Overall, we were good offensively tonight,” Eaton said. “We had good at-bats up and down the lineup. Their pitcher (Beeman) is really good, but we made him throw a lot of pitches and got him out of there after five innings.”

The win allows Warren to continue to control their own destiny in the hotly contested Region 6 race. They are in first place with a 13-3 overall record and 9-1 region mark. Harbor Creek is in second at 12-3, 9-2. A win by Warren in their next game, today against Fort LeBoeuf, would give them at least a share of the region title. A loss sets up a region championship game in Warren with Harbor Creek on Monday.

“We are right where we want to be,” Eaton said. “We have a huge game tomorrow that can keep us there.”

Warren’s JV was victorious as well on Tuesday, winning 5-4. Ryan Rafalski had a big game with a double, a single, and a save while Nick Hussey picked up the win. Ryan Arnold stole a pair of bases for the 14-1 JV Dragons.

– – –

WARREN (6)

Knapp, 2B, 3-2-2-1, Johnson, LF, 3-1-2-0, Cummings, RF, 3-1-1-1, S. Baldensperger, DH, 4-0-2-2, Morrison, DH, 4-0-1-0, Betts, SS, 4-0-0-0, L. Baldensperger, CF, 2-0-0-0, Leonard, P, 2-0-1-0, Grosch, 3B, 3-1-0-0, Balas, C, 0-0-0-0, Tremblay, CR, 0-1-0-0, Blair, CR, 0-0-0-0. Totals: 28-6-9-4.

CORRY (4)

Martin, 4-0-1-0, Zajac, 1-0-1-1, Richarson, 4-1-1-0, Sulecki, 3-0-1-2, Beeman, 2-0-1-0, Yetzer, 0-1-0-0, Triscuit, 0-0-0-0, Redrup, 4-0-3-0, Lesher, 1-0-0-0, Marrs, 0-0-0-0, Hayes, 3-0-0-0, Shopene, 3-0-1-0, Utegg, 3-1-0-0, Gill, 3-1-0-0. Totals: 31-4-9-3.

Warren 102 012 0 – 6 9 3

Corry 030 001 0 – 4 9 3

2B- Knapp (W), Beeman (C), Redrup (C). WP- Leonard, LP- Beeman

Newsletter

Today's breaking news and more in your inbox

I'm interested in (please check all that apply)
Are you a paying subscriber to the newspaper? *
   

Starting at $4.62/week.

Subscribe Today