Defenders Lose to Westerners; Game Called for Rain
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The Danbury Westerners (16-20) defeated the Pittsfield American Defenders (13-23) 6-1 in a rain-shortened game at Wahconah Park on Monday night. The second game of the doubleheader was postponed because of poor field conditions.Danbury held a 6-1 lead over Pittsfield in the top of the sixth inning when the umpires called for the tarp. A heavy rain started to fall at 6:20 at night as both teams waited through the rain delay.
Pittsfield removed the tarp at 8 o'clock, and shortly after that, the game was officially called.
The night started off as a scheduled doubleheader between these two teams who have been rained out against each other on three other nights.
Nick Smith (Denison Univ) started for the Pittsfield American Defenders and allowed two runs in the first inning. Mike Amendola (Univ of Hartford) grounded out to score Billy Burns (Mercer Univ) for the first run of the game. Brayan Valencia (Nove Southern Univ) then followed up with a solo home run to right field.
Danbury added to the 2-0 lead after Sean Harrell (Georgia Coll & State Univ) started the inning with a single. He stole second base, moved to third on an error and scored on a groundout from Travis Feiner (Western Nevada Coll).
With the 3-0 edge, Danbury starter Matt Iannazzo (Univ of Pittsburgh) continued to roll. He retired the first six hitters he faced and rarely got into trouble. When the left-hander got into a jam, he used three double plays to keep Pittsfield off the scoreboard early.
The American Defenders did inch closer in the bottom of the fifth inning. Casey Lytle (Univ of Kansas) scored on a groundout from Beau Zinman (UNC Asheville) as Pittsfield now trailed 3-1.
The Danbury Westerners then came out swinging in the sixth inning. Brayan Valencia and Mason Heyne (Rider Univ) both lead off with hits to put runners at first and third with no one out. Sean Harrell then bunted and was able to reach as Nick Smith threw wildly to first base. The error gave Danbury a 4-1 lead, and Travis Feiner followed with a 2-run single before the tarp was put on.
No make-up date was announced for the second game of the doubleheader. With the 6-1 win, Danbury improves to 16-20 on the season as Matt Iannazzo earns his third win of the summer. The lefty threw five innings, allowing just one run on four hits.
Pittsfield has now lost six straight games and their record stands at 12-23. The losing pitcher is Nick Smith who falls to 4-4 on the season. Smith pitched five innings and allowed six runs (4 earned).
Both teams will play a doubleheader on Tuesday at Rogers Park in Danbury, Conn. Both games are scheduled for seven innings with the first game set to start at 5 o'clock. The second game will start a half hour after the completion of the first game.
Fans can listen to all Pittsfield's games by using Teamline, the official broadcasting partner of the American Defenders.
Fans can also go to the team store at 2 South St., the team site or the front office at 413-997-2273 for more information on the Pittsfield American Defenders, tickets, sponsorship, group outings and more.
