PITTSFIELD, Mass. (Sunday
June 10, 2007) – Returning Duke Pitcher Mitch Clegg (University of Maine)
threw six and two thirds strong innings for the Dukes, but his effort was
not enough as the Manchester Silkworms outscored the Dukes 4-2 at Wahconah
Park.
The final line for Clegg, who made his first start of the season on Sunday,
included four runs, all earned, on seven hits while striking out four and
walking four. He got himself into and out of some trouble in the second
inning, loading the bases with nobody out. Manchester’s Jay Schillaci
(Central Connecticut) hit a ball that landed in front of Duke’s right
fielder Paul Heidler (Longwood University). Heidler, realizing Manchester’s
Ryan Lavarnway would have to hold at third to see if it would be caught,
gathered the ball and fired a strike to the plate for the first out of the
inning.
Clegg would then induce a strikeout and a line out to close the frame.
The Silkworms faired better in the third as they were able to plate all four
of their runs in the stanza with back-to-back two-run doubles from Anthony
Russell (East Tennessee State) and Kyle Higgins (Monmouth University).
The Dukes scratched across a run in the bottom of the fifth when Jeff
Rustico (American International College) walked to lead off the inning, and
scored on an Alex Hassan (Duke University) sacrifice fly.
Pittsfield would tack on their second run in the eighth. Paul Heidler drew a
two out walk from Manchester reliever Eddie Bethke (Southern Connecticut) to
bring up pinch hitter Kel’ii Zablan (Southern Utah University). With the
runner going Zablan lined a ball to the left field fence on one bounce,
allowing Heidler to score standing up.
Jack Bender (Georgetown University) looked good out of the Duke’s bullpen
going two and third innings, allowing no runs on one hit while striking one.
The Dukes travel to Newport where they will take on the South Division
leading Gulls at 6:35.
Season tickets for the Dukes are available now. Tickets can be purchased
online at www.pittsfielddukes.com or by calling (413) 447-DUKE.
The Dukes appreciate your support. GO DUKES!!!
