By Scott Chiusano
For the third weekend in a row, Embrach Mustangs’ starting pitchers Roger Savoldelli and Tim Jones turned in stellar starts. Though Embrach’s offense gave its pitchers just enough support on Saturday against the Zurich Barracudas, it was the defense that stood out. Shortstop Josh Crouse was busy all day, making tough plays in the hole look effortless, while outfielders Harry Wischnewski, Bruno Albrecht and Jones corralled in every ball that was put in the air in game one.
The Mustangs got on the board first in the opener with some smart baserunning. After Crouse and Albrecht drew back-to-back walks, Jones hit a hard ground ball that Zurich’s second baseman couldn’t handle. Crouse saw the bobble as he rounded third, and continued home, forcing a throw that was offline. The Barracudas tied the game up in the bottom of the second, though, after two straight singles by Michael Settle and Nderin Coma, a bunt, and an RBI groundout by Strahil Georgiev.
The score remained notched at one until the top of the fourth. Third baseman Scott Chiusano led off with a single and then stole second base. First baseman Chris Byrnes drove him in with a hard liner up the middle, putting the Mustangs back on top. DH Jacen Bracko was hit by a pitch to put runners at first and second, and then catcher Stephan Pribitzer laid down a perfect bunt to put runners at second and third. Wischnewski then hit a single, giving the Mustangs a two run lead.
With help from his defense, Savoldelli was able to keep the Barracudas off the board inning after inning. Zurich threatened in the third and the sixth, but Savoldelli was able to masterfully work out of some tight jams.
The Mustangs got their offense back on track in the eighth, putting up four important insurance runs. Jones led the frame off with a towering double to the warning track in right, and Byrnes followed suit with a rocket up the middle. Bracko and Pribitzer both walked to load up the bases, and then two singles in a row by Wischnewski and second baseman Christian Klarer gave the Mustangs a 7-2 cushion.
The Barracudas threatened again in the ninth, continuing to hit the ball well off Savoldelli. After putting up one run in the frame, Zurich still had a chance with men on first and second and two outs. Savoldelli got Frank Berchold to hit a ground ball in the hole that Chiusano was able to handle for the force at second, ending game one of the double header.
Game two of Saturday’s double header turned into a heated pitcher’s duel between Jones and Barracudas’ starter John Tufts. They both were able to keep their opponent off the board for five innings, and it looked like either team needed one inning to gain the momentum. The Mustangs found it in the top of the sixth. Wischnewski was the catalyst for Embrach once again, getting on with a bloop single and then promptly stealing second. Jones then helped his own cause, smacking a double that scored Wischnewski. Crouse came to the plate next, and after coming up empty with some hard hit balls in the previous game, he finally got a ball to drop — right on the warning track. Crouse motored to third for a triple, giving the Mustangs a two run lead. Albrecht then drove him in with a single to right field, and those three runs would prove to be all the Mustangs needed.
Jones continued to put up zeros, pitching a complete game while striking out nine. In the bottom of the ninth, the Barracudas seemed to have finally figured Jones out. George Strahil singled and Frank Berchold reached on a hit by pitch. Andy Ruesch then singled Strahil home for the Zurich’s first run of the game, putting the tying run on base. But it was too little too late for the Barracudas. Jones settled in, getting Michael Settle to ground back to him for the third and final out.