Smethport takes advantage of short handed Kane team to reach finals
Smethport - The Smethport Legion got a combined 1-hitter by pitchers Jackson Glover and Ryan Clouser to defeat a very short handed Kane team 16-0 in five innings. With the win Smethport moves into the Elk/mckean finals where they will play Wilcox. Glover actually had a no-hitter against Kane through three innings and was relieved by Clouser who only gave up a single to Elijah Everett
before completing the combined shutout.
The Smethport coaching staff did not let the lack of players deter them from doing what they needed to move into the championship game. They came out aggressive at the plate with their first six batters all reaching base and eventually coming home with some clutch hitting and the aid of a few walks. They sent 10 batters to the plate in the first inning.
The second inning was pretty much an image of the first as Kane brought in another pitcher and Smethport again sent eight batters to the plate with four of those scoring. All this damage was done without a hit, but Kane gave up 4 walks and 2 hit batsman giving Post #976 a commanding 10-0 lead after only 2 innings of play.
The third and fourth were not much different as Smethport tacked three more runs in each to complete the 16-0 shutout. The third inning clean up hitter Clouser hit a shot over the left field fence for a home run. On the night Clouser reached base all four times with a home run, double, single and a walk while scoring three times. Also scoring three times for Post #976 was Glover who had two singles and a walk while Cole Szuba reached base all four plate appearances with three singles and a walk.
It was one of those games where one pitching staff could not find the strike zone and the other was spot on. Glover pitched a great game in his 3-innings striking out 6 and surrendering just 1 walk.
Kane will now play Brockway Post #95 today for the final spot in the Region 8 Tournament which will be held in Albion July 15-18.