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Park Ridge suffers loss
(by Erin Patricia Griffiths - June 24, 2008)
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Photos By Robert S. Pytel
Kevin Herget’s pitching kept Clifton scoreless through six innings.
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The previously undefeated American Legion Park Ridge Flash suffered a 6-5 loss against Clifton on Thursday, June 19.
The Flash went into the game with a 6-0 record and held a five run lead until the top of the seventh inning, when Clifton picked up six runs.
Pitcher Kevin Herget started on the mound, having traded his regular season number of two for his summer league 16 jersey. The team retired the side within minutes.
In the bottom of the first, David Wood lined a one out single to center and then stole second. Christopher Picyk walked, putting runners on first and second. They advanced to second and third on a double steal. After Matt Moreno was retired, Trace McDermott hit a long homerun over the left field fence giving Park Ridge a 3-0 lead.
After a scoreless second, Wood singled and Picyk was hit by the pitch, putting runners on first and second. Moreno grounded into a fielder’s choice for the first out, and Wood advanced to third on the play. After Wood was tagged out on an attempted double steal, Clifton was one out away from getting out of the inning, but Moreno scored on Trace McDermott’s two out single, making the lead 4-0.
Herget drove in Dane McDermott with a two-out hit in the next inning to make the score 5-0.
The Flash, behind the pitching of Herget, kept Clifton scoreless through six innings. Stephen Montalto came on in relief in the top of the seventh, giving up six runs before Trace McDermott finally got Park Ridge out of the inning.
In the bottom of the last inning, Picyk’s double, sandwiched by two long fly outs by Wood and Moreno put the tying run on second with two outs.
After Trace McDermott was intentionally walked, Aramanda’s hit to the outfield seemed as though it would give the team opportunity to score the tying run, but the outfielder quickly got the ball into second and Trace was called out by the umpire, a call to which “Father Flash” Tom McDermott responded, “That guy hasn’t got a call right all night.”
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Shortstop Trace McDermott makes a throw to first base for an out.
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In an e-mail after the game, Coach Bob Howell commented saying, “I was surprised at the umpire’s call since he had a close look at the play. He may have been screened by the runner (Trace) and not have seen his foot touch the base. However, it was a team loss, we did squander a five run lead. I’m sure we will see Clifton Legion Post #8 again and we look forward to it.”
Erin Patricia Griffiths' e-mail address is GriffithsE@northjersey.com.
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