Thursday, June 19
Bethany catcher Bryan Jenkins (38, Palmyra Township) took advantage of a stiff breeze blowing out at Bethany Field to deliver a tie-breaking solo home run in the seventh inning as the Blues (6-2) gave Starrucca (7-1) its first loss of the season, 2-1, in Wayne County Baseball League action on Thursday evening.
With the game tied at one Jenkins strode to the plate to start the bottom of the seventh having already gone 0-for-2 against Starrucca ace Danny Millard (40, Beach Lake). Jenkins lofted a 1-0 pitch to center, where Hawks center fielder Millard Reynolds (23, Hawley) appeared to be camped underneath the high fly ball. But as Reynolds went back, he eventually ran out of room as the wind carried the ball out by a mere 10 feet.
“Honestly, I thought it was an easy fly ball,” said Jenkins, who tossed his bat aside in apparent disgust after making contact. “I was almost to first base when I looked up and saw Millard with his back against the wall and still looking up. That’s when I knew it might get out.”
Jenkins’ blast held up as Bethany youngster Richard Peterson (21, Forest City) went the distance, allowing a run on six hits while striking out six, improving to 2-0 in the process. Peterson also added a pair of hits at the plate.
“He’s been dynamite so far this season,” Blues manager Spike Stewart said. “His only weakness before tonight has been his control, and he clearly had his best command today.”
Bethany left fielder Brandon Thornton (47, Hawley) doubled and scored on an RBI ground out by center fielder Dale Aitkenhead (27, Mt. Cobb).
Jenkins’ homer, his second of the season, made a loser of Millard, who went the distance, allowing two runs on six hits and two walks while fanning nine. Reynolds doubled and scored in the first for the Hawks, who now have a one-game lead over the Blues in the Southern Division.
In other WCBL action …
♦ Honesdale (4-4) 3, Prompton (4-4) 1
WP — J. Morris (1-2): 7 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 9 K
LP — J. Wright (2-2): 6 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 0 BB, 7 K
SV — C. Buck (1): 2 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K
Notable: J. Balderas (Hon) — 3-for-4, 2B, R; J. Cavazos (Hon) — 1B, RBI, R; J. Bond (Pro) — 2B, R
♦ Waymart (5-3) 6, Damascus (4-4) 4
WP — B. St. John (3-1): 7 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
LP — B. Lector (2-1): 8.2 IP, 14 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 6 K
SV — J. Sims (2): 2 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
Notable: Waymart scored twice in the 4th, 5th and 7th innings; B. Horton (Way) — 3-for-4, 2 RBI, 2 R, SB; J. Harris (Way) — 3-for-5, 1 RBI, 1 R; D. Forrest (Way) — 2-for-4, 2 R; R. Sykes (Way) — 1B, 2B, RBI; N. Lewis (Dam) — 2-run HR; G. Misitnikov (Dam) — 2-for-3, solo HR; RBI, 2 R; J. Andrade (Dam) — 3B, RBI
♦ Hawley (1-7) 4, Lake Ariel (1-7) 0
WP — D. O’Quinlan (1-3): 9 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K; Took perfect game into the 6th before allowing a leadoff single
LP — T. Fisher (0-4): 7.2 IP, 7 H, 4 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 4 K
Notable: Hawley scored three times in the bottom of the 7th to secure its first win; D. Martin (Haw) — 2-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI, R; S. Jones (Haw) — 2B, 2 R; S. McDowell (Haw) — 2-for-4, 2B; T. Clark (LA) — 1B in 6th broke up perfect game.
Wayne County Baseball League 