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Tarp Skunks post big win over Niagara

Jamestown’s Yogie Hartigan celebrates an RBI double in the fourth inning of Monday’s Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League matchup with Niagara at Diethrick Park. Times Observer Photo by Scott Kindberg

JAMESTOWN, N.Y. — Travis Perry stood near the third-base line, preparing for a postgame question-and-answer Monday night when teammate Yogie Hartigan jogged out to join him.

Carrying sunglasses, Hartigan gave them to the 6-foot-7 pitcher, who put them on just before a Jamestown intern began the interview that would ultimately appear on the team’s social media.

It was fitting, because Perry was deserving of the spotlight, shades and all, after allowing just three hits — none after the first inning — in the Tarp Skunks’ 13-1 six-inning victory over Niagara in a Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League game at Diethrick Park.

The win improved Jamestown’s record to 12-8-1 heading into today’s off day. The Power, meanwhile, fell to 6-12.

“The game becomes easier when you have a little bit of a lead and get the running game going a little bit,” Tarp Skunks manager Jordan Basile said. “The guys fed off each other, one hit after the other. It’s fun to get in those grooves.”

Jamestown pitcher Travis Perry delivers to the plate during Monday’s game. Times Observer Photo by Scott Kindberg

It didn’t appear as if Perry was going to last long by the way Niagara’s top of the first inning went.

After two quick outs, Julian Uejima reached first base on an infield single, Ben Sinins singled to center and Uejima later stole third base and scored on a throwing error. Perry walked David Coleman and he gave up a single to Jadyn Lobiner to load the bases, but he wiggled his way out of further damage by striking out Mason Kulpa.

After that, Perry was in complete control. In the next five innings, he didn’t allow a hit, struck out three, walked four and had a base runner reach second just once as he evened his record at 2-2.

“Travis pitched a great game,” Basile said. “He came out and said, ‘I don’t feel I have my best today,’ but once we gave him a little bit of cushion, he knew to get the ball over the plate, he didn’t walk guys and he made them swing.”

As for the Tarp Skunks’ offense?

It was hitting on all cylinders.

Every batter in the lineup had at least one hit. Brandon Lane led the way with three singles and four RBIs; and Hartigan (double, RBI) and Cody Bey (two RBIs) both had two hits as Jamestown scored in all but one inning, led 7-1 after two innings and 11-1 after four. Hartigan, who played his freshman year at George Mason, is now batting .381, which is 10th in the league.

“Yogie does a great job,” Basile said. “He’s short to the ball, he puts the ball in play and that’s what happens. … He gives us a chance every time, whether it’s a groundball to shortstop or second base there’s a chance Yogie’s going to beat that out, and that’s why Yogie is having success.”

In addition to banging out 14 hits, Jamestown stole 10 bases and took advantage of seven Power errors.

The Tarp Skunks have two more home games this week — Wednesday against Newark and Thursday against Batavia. Both games have a 6:30 p.m. first pitch.

“These off days go a long way,” Basile said. “It’s all about grinding it out. … One more off day (today) and prepare for Wednesday and Thursday. This is going to be a huge stretch for us.”

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