Stars send Caldwell packing
Treasure Valley punishes Streak pitching with eight extra base hits
By: Argus Observer Sports Staff
Friday, June 26, 2009 9:58 AM PDT
Ontario—Errors by Caldwell and timely hitting by the Stars resulted in Treasure Valley’s 13th straight American Legion West Division win Thursday in Ontario.
The Stars won 9-2, and took advantage of five miscues by the Streaks in addition to pounding out nine hits, eight of which were of the extra base variety, to seal the victory.
“We put the ball in play,” Stars head coach Matt Mejia said. “And they (Caldwell) helped us with their errors. Good things happen when you put the ball in play.”
The Stars scored their first run of the game in the bottom of the first inning, then added three more in the home half of the third inning for a quick 4-0 lead.
Stars starting pitcher Darin Johnson did not need any more support than that as he went six innings, striking out seven and walking two.
“Johnson did a good job for us,” Mejia said. “Despite falling behind on a lot of the batters he faced. His pitch count was up there tonight.”
Caldwell got on the board in the top of the fourth inning to make the score 4-1, but the Stars answered with a run of their own in the bottom of the fourth to extend their lead to 5-1.
Another run was plated in the bottom of the fifth inning for the Stars.
In the bottom of the sixth, Treasure Valley added its final three runs of the game. Caldwell picked up a meaningless run in the top of the seventh.
Of the eight extra base hits the Stars pounded, Daulton Blackwell picked up a triple, and Zack Fabricius nailed two doubles.
Kyle Blackwell jumped on the doubles bandwagon and stroked three and Josh Mejia added one for the Stars.
Nick Varriale finished the game going 2-for-4, Fabricius was 2-for-3 and Kyle Blackwell ended the day with a 3-for-4 effort.
The huge win improved the Stars overall record to 14-3, and they will put that mark on the line at the Papa’s tournament in Eugene beginning Wednesday through July 5.
The tournament will begin as a pool play round then progress in to a bracketed event, Saturday.
