Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Bethany first baseman Brandon Thornton (47, Hawley) rifled a walk-off, three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth inning to lift the Blues to a 4-1 victory over still winless Hawley in Wayne County Baseball League action on Tuesday.
Thornton’s blast highlighted a crazy day that included an extra-inning thriller, a late rally by an unbeaten team and a pitching gem.
“I just tried to get into a hitter’s count and then managed to get my pitch,” said Thornton, who came into the game hitting just .087 (2-for-23). “When you’re struggling the way I have been, you just have to try to make a good swing. Fortunately I did that.”
Thornton ripped a 3-1 fastball to left field to end a game that had been tied at 1 since the second inning. Blues center fielder Richie Rivera (35, Thompson) was the lone player in the game with two hits, including a double, and right fielder Justin Malone (35, Paupack Township) added a solo homer in the second.
Blues starter Daniel Hartman (24, Orson) improved to 4-0 by going the distance, allowing one run on seven hits and two walks while striking out 11.
Hawley starter John “Biff” Akers (22, Waymart) took a no-decision after allowing a run on three hits while striking out 10 in eight innings.
In other WCBL action …
♦ Honesdale 5, Damascus 4
Center fielder Sam Beasley (34, Cherry Ridge), a mid-game injury replacement, scampered home with the winning run on a sacrifice fly by left fielder Bryan Northumberland (49, South Canaan) in the bottom of the 13th to give Honesdale the win.
The All-Stars tied the game in the bottom of the eighth on an RBI single by third baseman Paul McDaniel (45, Waymart), his third RBI of the game. Right fielder John “Whiskey” Cavazos (28, Honesdale) singled twice, doubled, scored twice, drove in a run and stole a base in the win. Right-handers Chris Buck (23, Lake Ariel) and Henry Small (26, Waymart), the winning pitcher, combined for seven hitless innings of relief for Honesdale.
First baseman Joe “Crazy Legs” Reynolds (43, Paupack Township) had two hits, three RBIs and a run scored for Damascus.
♦ Waymart 3, Prompton 0
Waymart righty Ed Jones (26, Damascus) was masterful, twirling a three-hit shutout, walking one and striking out 11. He retired 22 straight at one point until a harmless one-out single in the ninth.
Generals catcher Wesley Shepherd (25, Moscow) had a two-run double in the fifth that essentially sealed the win.
Third baseman Eddie Canzler (40, Moscow) led off the game with a double for Prompton.
♦ Starrucca 7, Lake Ariel 2
Starrucca scored all seven of its runs in the bottom of the seventh and eighth innings to avoid its first loss of the season. Right fielder Glen Sherman (25, Paupack Township) drove in three and left fielder Felix Inger (45, Forest City) singled twice and scored twice to lead the Hawks. Starter Cole Lunday (43, Palmyra Township) improved to 4-0 by allowing two unearned runs in eight innings.
Catcher John Connolly (50, Lakeville) continued to prove that age is irrelevant, ripping three hits, including a double, and driving in a run for Lake Ariel. He’s now hitting .407 in seven games this season.
Wayne County Baseball League 