Crusaders bring home five-inning win over Smethport
The Elk County Catholic Crusaders recorded their second consecutive win and third in the last four games as they defeated the Smethport Hubbers 16-2 in five innings in a matchup played on the road on Monday afternoon.
The Crusaders scored in all but the second inning en route to the win.
Shawn Geci started on the mound and worked the first four innings, giving up three hits, walking two, and striking out seven. Charlie Geci came in and faced three batters, giving up one hit and walking two. Wil Wortman worked the final inning, striking out two.
ECC had 16 hits in the game, with Colby Nussbaum hitting a home run, Joe Tettis hitting a triple and a double, and Isaac Dellaquila hitting a double.
The Crusaders put their first two runs on the board in the top of the opening inning. With one out, Lance O’Neill was hit by a pitch, and a two-out home run gave ECC a 2-0 lead. After that, Tettis walked and Charlie Geci singled to give the team another pair of base runners, but a strikeout left both stranded.
Smethport scored their first run in the bottom of the inning, cutting ECC’s lead to 2-1.
After batters for both teams went down in order in the second, each squad put another run on the board in the third.
O’Neill led off the top of the inning with a single and then scored on a two-out triple by Tettis to make the Crusaders’ lead 3-1. Charlie Geci joined Tettis on base after being hit by a pitch, but a groundout left both stranded.
A run scored on an error in the bottom of the inning, allowing the Hubbers to once again make it a onerun game, with ECC leading 3-2.
The Crusaders responded with five runs in the top of the fourth.
Thomas Gilmore led off the inning with a single, and then Dellaquila hit a one-out single and O’Neill walked, loading the bases. A single to left by David Anderson scored both Gilmore and Dellaquila, and then O’Neill scored as Nussbaum singled. An error allowed both Anderson and Nussbaum to pick up an extra base. Anderson scored on a double by Tettis but Nussbaum was held up at third. A single by Charlie Geci scored Nussbaum, making the score 8-2 as a popup and a groundout left Tettis and Geci stranded.
The Hubbers left a runner stranded in the bottom of the inning, and ECC scored their final eight runs in the top of the fifth.
Frankie Smith singled to lead off the inning and then stole second with Dellaquila at bat. A single by Dellaquila scored Smith, giving ECC a 9-2 lead. O’Neill reached on an error, and then a single by Anderson scored Dellaquila. O’Neill came home with Nussbaum at bat, and Anderson stole second. Nussbaum ended up being hit by a pitch. Tettis was up next and was hit by a pitch as well, loading the bases. A sacrifice fly to center field by Charlie Geci scored Anderson, and then Nussbaum scored on a single by Wortman, putting the Crusaders up 13-2.
Following a strikeout, a single by Smith scored Tettis and moved Wortman to second. Both Wortman and Smith then scored on a double by Dellaquila to make the score 16-2 in favor of the Crusaders.
A strikeout brought the Hubbers up to bat for the final time, and they loaded the bases on a single and a pair of walks. Wortman took over on the mound and struck out the first two batters he faced. A fielder’s choice resulted in the third out, ending the game with ECC taking home the 16-2 win.
The Crusaders (5-13) are scheduled to return to action today when they host ClarionLimestone in a 4 p.m. game at Berwind Park. Elk Catholic 16
Isaac Dellaquila 5-23, Lance O’Neill 2-4-1, Patrick Forester 1-0-0, David Anderson 4-22, Colby Nussbaum 3-3-2, Joe Tettis 2-1-2, Charlie Geci 2-0-2, Wil Wortman 4-1-1, Thomas Gilmore 3-1-1, Nick Cherry 1-0-0, Frankie Smith 4-2-2. Totals 3116-16.
Smethport 2 O. Rounsville 3-22, K. Watson 2-0-1, R. Shields 0-0-0, B. M. 2-0-1, D. Ritts 0-0-0, C. Riekofsky 2-0-0, J. Knapp 1-0-0, B. Kirkman 2-0-0, T. Taylor 1-0-0, C. Szuba 3-0-0, E. Ruffner 1-0-0, B. Harris 2-0-0, L. Hurlburt 1-00. Totals 20-2-4.
Score by innings ECCHS 201 58 Smethport 101 00
R 16 2