By Scott Chiusano, Embrach Mustangs
With runners on second and third in the top of the ninth in the second game of Sunday’s doubleheader, the Embrach Mustangs were in danger of allowing the Zurich Challengers to make a late game comeback. The Challengers had already scored their first two runs of the game off Tim Jones in the frame, making the score 5-2. Third baseman James Sanders came to the plate, trying to drive in two more runs for his team. He hit a soft line drive into right field, and the Mustangs fans behind home plate held their breath. But with seemingly improbable speed and agility, second baseman Stephan Pribitzer ran the ball down, diving full extension to make the catch, giving the Mustangs a split of the doubleheader.
Game one was not as successful for Embrach. After celebrating the team’s 25 year anniversary before the game, the Mustangs struggled at the plate against Zurich starter Andrea Girasole. A little extra run on his fastball had the Mustang hitters searching for answers. Though Embrach starter Roger Savoldelli was equally effective, allowing only one earned run in a complete game effort, his offense could not provide any support.
The Mustangs did strike first, though, in the bottom of the third. DH Oliver Walser led off with a walk, and Pribitzer moved him to second with a bunt. Left fielder Bruno Albrecht then hit a towering fly ball that the Challengers left fielder was unable to handle, and Walser scored easily for the first run of the day.
It turned out that it would be their last, as the Mustang hitters continued to put the ball in the air for easy plays for the Challengers’ outfielders. Shortstop Josh Crouse had three hits in the game, but the rest of his team combined for only two more. The Mustangs threatened in the bottom of the sixth after Crouse singled and Jones walked. But three straight pop outs by second baseman Christian Klarer, third baseman Scott Chiusano and first baseman Chris Byrnes ended the threat.
After the 4-1 loss in game one, the Mustangs needed a win to stay even with Zurich in the playoff race. Jones was brilliant on the mound, allowing two runs on six hits while striking out six. He let his defense do most of the work, continually getting the Challenger hitters to roll over on ground balls to the left side.
The Challengers threatened in the top of the second, though, with men on first and third after a single by shortstop Robelt Reyes and two passed balls that moved him to third. After walking, Chico Colinres tried to steal second. Walser came up throwing and Reyes took off from third on the release. But Crouse cut the throw off and gunned Reyes out at home, preventing Zurich from gaining any momentum.
This allowed the Mustangs to be the first team on the board once again. In the bottom of the second, Jones reached on an error and then stole second. Klarer moved him to third with a ground ball up the middle, and Chiusano brought him home with a sacrific fly.
Embrach struck again in the next frame. After two straight singles by Albrecht and Crouse, Jones hit a single up the middle to bring them both in, making the score 3-0. The Mustangs got two more important insurance runs in the fifth and then in the seventh, off an RBI single by Crouse.
Jones did not run into any more trouble until the top of the ninth, when Pribitzer’s heroics saved the game for the Mustangs.
Embrach will take on the Barracudas next weekend in another important matchup, with both teams jockeying for playoff spots.