Seeking Revenge - Altoona advances to face Cleveland
August 10, 2011 - Altoona's Red Bull advances in the winner's bracket after a 5-1 win over Youngstown at Arcurio Field. That sets up a rematch between Altoona and Cleveland's Chardon Blizzard at Roxbury Park at 3:00pm. Cleveland defeated Altoona 10-6 in the opening game of this year's Altoona Regional, scoring 8 runs in the first three innings.
"We want revenge," said Altoona manager Jeff Miller. "We're throwing the same guy we threw against them the first time. He wants it bad." Elliott Chamberlain, a freshman at Pitt-Johnstown, will be that starter. In the regional, he walked half of the line-up in the first inning. Altoona lost both their games in the regional, while Cleveland swept through all four to win the regional. The Blizzard defeated Johnstown last night at the Point Stadium, 8-6.
In the Youngstown game, Andrew Ebersole opened the scoring with a two out single in the first. Jared Turocy tied the game with a single in the third. However, Red Bull starter Brock Goodling and closer Dominic Kriner would not allow another run.
"We had bases loaded in the one inning, and I think we left two on the following inning, so that's five [men left on base] right there," said Youngstown manager Bob Mingo. "I had the hit and run on and what do you know, it comes right up the middle perfect for the second baseman to make the play across the diamond. We had opportunities, we didn't cash in today."
In the fourth, Charles Beaston tripled to score a run, and then crossed the plate himself on Nate Pope's squeeze play. A bases loaded walk in the top of the seventh finished the scoring at 5-1 in favor of Altoona.
"We left guys on base, but we executed," said Altoona's Miller. "When you drop the squeeze bunt down and the whole team sees that, the momentum is instantly yours."
"We came down here with twelve guys and we're basically trying to squeeze blood out of a turnip," explained Mingo. "I got everything I could out of them. They knew when they came down here out situation, and they're just sucking it up and giving me everything they've got." The Glaciers will now have to play a second game today, as they face New York's Long Island Astros way up north in Portage at 3:00pm.