Police pitcher Chris Riga delivers in the first inning. (Photo by Chris Putz)
McDonald’s East Main Street held off the Police, 3-2, in a thrilling Dan Welch City Cup opener Saturday at Bullens Field.
Craig Lacey scored a run and drove in another, and starting pitcher Matt Plasse had a solid outing on the mound to get McDonald’s the first win of the ’12 tourney.
The Amanti Cup began Sunday.
Police scored the first run of the game when Cody Niedig reached on a lead-off single to start the bottom of the second inning. He stole second, advanced on an error, and scored on Chris Riga’s RBI ground out.
McDonald’s quickly knotted the game at 1-1 in the top of the third when Lacey cracked a run-scoring double. They later scored the go-ahead and eventual game-winning runs.
In the sixth, Lacey singled, stole second, advanced on an infield error, and scored on a wild pitch. Jeff Hockenberry, who reached courtesy of an error, scored on Jeff Tobias’s booming double to make it 3-1.
Police cut the lead to one in the bottom of the sixth. Niedig singled, stole second, advanced on Jake Hough’s fly-out, and scored on Lacey’s sac-fly.
Police put the tying run on base in the bottom of the seventh on Adam Collier’s line-drive single, but McDonald’s snared a Chris Sullivan hard-hit liner to end the game.
Plasse scattered four hits, walked none, and struck out seven batters. Police pitcher Chris Riga recorded nine strikeouts, and allowed five hits. He retired the last five batters to end the game.
Double-elimination tournament games will held every night this week at Bullens Field, culminating with championship games Saturday and Sunday (if necessary). Check the Westfield News for updated scores, dates and times.
