Rough First Dooms Dukes From the Start
Pittsfield, Mass. (Saturday June 16, 2007) – Charlie Bashara
(Northeastern University) took the mound for the first time since
the home opener and had some obvious rust, giving up six runs in the
top of the first, en route to his second loss of the season, and the
Dukes fell 10-7 at the hands of the Manchester Silkworms.
The Dukes, who are off to their worst start in franchise history,
fall to 0-8 and sit four games out of fifth place in the Southern
Division of the NECBL. Some sloppy defense combined with the hot
bats of the Silkworms combined to make the Dukes’ fate in this one,
as the Worms pounded out 12 hits against Dukes’ pitching.
The bottom of the fifth was a promising frame for the Dukes as they
were able to tack on five runs and cut the deficit to 8-7 by
innings’ end. Sam Shaughnessy (Boston College) starting things in
the inning with a single up the middle, and was followed promptly by
Adam Tempesta (University of Massachusetts) who dumped a base hit
into right field. Paul Heidler (Longwood University) walked to load
the bases for
Dukes’ leadoff man Alex Hassan (Duke University). Hassan lined a
full-count fastball to centerfield, plating Shaughnessy and Tempesta,
and was able to move to second on the throw to the plate.
Kel’ii Zablan (Southern Utah University) did a nice job of battling
against Manchester’s starting pitcher, Jacob Wiley (Marist College),
and after fouling off a variety of 0-2 pitches, finally lined one
through the right side of the infield, scoring Heidler and Hassan.
Chester Wilson (Southern Utah University), who tripled and scored in
the fourth, came up big again for the Dukes, lining a ball into the
right centerfield gap, scoring Zablan all the way from first. It was
the last run the Dukes would score off of Manchester pitching in the
game.
The Dukes travel to Holyoke Sunday afternoon as they take on the
Northern Division’s Giants at 6:30 p.m.
Season tickets for the Dukes are still available. Tickets can be
purchased online at www.pittsfielddukes.com or by calling (413)
447-DUKE.
The Dukes appreciate your support. GO DUKES!!!
