Dawgs stay hot, blank Exton

WEST CHESTER » In recent years the Downingtown American Legion program has been one of the top teams in the state. Sunday afternoon at a sweltering Bob Owens Field, the Diamond Dawgs proved that they will be a force again this season as they received a sterling six inning, two-hit performance from pitcher Kevin Small on the way to a convincing 6-0 triumph over Exton for their sixth straight win of the season as the Dawgs remained undefeated on the season.

“I had real good command today,” Small said. “I was getting my fastball over for strikes and just pounding the zone. My teammates made all the plays behind me and they got me through this game today. We had a 1-0 lead and then my team got those four big runs in the fourth inning to pull me through the game.”

Downingtown (6-0) scored an unearned run off Exton (1-3) starter Keagen Gonville in the first inning. An error by shortstop Evan Spano opened the door for the Diamond Dawgs’ run that scored on a Nick Marcelli sacrifice fly to make it a 1-0 game after one inning.

The margin stayed that way until the top of the fourth inning when Downingtown showed its offensive muscle, sending 10 men to the plate and breaking the game open at 5-0. Andrew Ciliberto opened the frame with a ringing double to right field and scored when Small knocked an RBI single to left for a 2-0 advantage.

After Gonville struck out Jackson Jonik for the first out, Jake Reese singled and Evan Williams forced Reese at second, putting runners on first and third with two out. Aaron Sipes took a fastball to left field for an RBI single and a 3-0 lead.

Steven Rosner ripped another RBI single and Mike Mollenhauer reached on another Exton infield error, scoring two more Downingtown runs and the Diamond Dawgs had a comfortable 5-0 lead.

“We have been struggling a little in the field and we have some guys playing out of position,” Exton coach Tom Tracy said. “But there are no excuses. We will get better and now we have all our players back.”

Exton mounted a threat against Small in the bottom of the fifth inning when Small walked the first two Bandits he faced in the frame. Sam Spano came to the plate and ripped a ball to right field, but the Downingtown first baseman, Jonik, reached up and snared the hard liner and doubled an Exton runner off second base. Small then retired Ian Tracy for the third out and the Exton uprising was quelled.

Downingtown plated another run in the top the seventh inning off Exton reliever Aaron Parker when Jonik’s grounder to second scored Ciliberto, who opened the inning with a single for a 6-0 lead. Mollenhauer came in to pitch the seventh in relief of Small and retired the Bandits in order and the Diamond Dawgs had a very sharp 6-0 win.

“The strength of our team is going to be pitching and defense,” said Downingtown coach Scott Rambo. “And our infield is experienced and they made all the plays today. Kevin has been pitching great for us so far this season and although he is young, he is going to keep getting the baseball for us.”