Dukes defeat Dominican Republic All Star Team at Wahconah Park 8-6
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The Dukes would start by scoring two runs in the first inning without even getting a hit. All Star starter Jorge Pimentel hit three batters and walked one in the inning that saw Pittsfield take the early lead. An RBI groundout from Kevin Clements (Manchester CC) and a hit by pitch with the bases loaded to Perry Silverman (Canisius) would give the Dukes the 2-0 advantage.
Dukes starter Mike Woytek (Wright State) would set down the All Stars in the first inning in order, but he would struggle in the second inning. An RBI double from Audri Acosta would tie up the game as Julian Alvarez and Angel Valdez would score on the play.
Woytek would then retire nine hitters in a row on his way to throwing five innings and just allowing two runs. In the bottom of the fifth inning, the Dukes would rally and send eleven hitters to the plate. Clements hit a 2 run double to break the tie, and Jayson Langfels (Eastern Kentucky) would follow two hitters later with an RBI single. After Perry Silverman (Canisius) grounded out, Billy Messer (Slippery Rock) would strike out but reach first on the wild pitch to prolong the inning. The Dukes would go on to score two more runs in the inning and take the 7-2 lead.
Louie Bernardini (Wheaton College) would enter and pitch the sixth and seventh innings for the Dukes. Bernardini would allow a run in each inning as the Dominican Republic All Stars closed the gap to three. Pittsfield would threaten in both innings as well but would come up empty hitting, into two double plays.
In the eighth inning, Matt Giusti (Stonehill College) entered the game and allowed back to back singles to leadoff the inning. Both runners would score in the inning as the All Stars battled back to within a run. An RBI groundout from Peter Copa would score the fifth run and an RBI single from Angel Valdez but the potential game-tying run on first. Valdez would be lifted for Antony Somez who would steal second and put himself in scoring position. Giusti would strike out Acosta to end the inning with the 7-6 lead.
The Dukes would score an insurance run in the eighth inning and call upon Jack Bender (Georgetown) to relieve Giusti and close out the ballgame. Bender retired all three hitters he faced including two strikeouts to give Pittsfield the 8-6 victory.
The Pittsfield Dukes will have Monday off before traveling down to Danbury on Tuesday to play the last place Westerners. Matt Giusti is the probable starter for the seven o'clock contest.
The Dominican Republic All Stars drop to 0-1 with the loss and will rest at the Dan Duquette Sports Academy tonight. The team will also have Monday off and they will return to action on Tuesday when they travel to Fuessenich Park to play the Torrington Twisters. First pitch is scheduled for seven o'clock.
