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GREENWICH, Conn. For six innings, Greenwich and Staples gritted through six tense innings of baseball. But then Greenwich broke through in a big way.
The Cardinals sent 16 players to the plate in the top of the seventh, pounding the Staples bullpen for 11 runs. Matt Pruner put the exclamation point on the afternoon with his first varsity home run high over the left field fence. When it was all said and done, Greenwich remained undefeated with a stunning 13-2 victory.
We were a little anxious in the beginning of the game, swinging at some bad pitches. But once we got some guys on, the floodgates opened, Pruner said. Im still in shock about that home run, though. Its indescribable.
For five innings, the games two starters dueled pitch for pitch. Greenwichs Dylan Callahan struck out eight and allowed just three hits in five innings. He struggled with his control at times, however, walking three and hitting four batters. But the Cardinal righty got the outs when he needed them, as Staples stranded 10 runners on base.
The games only run in the first four innings was a bases-loaded hit batsman, as Staples clung to a 1-0 lead. Greenwich caught a break off Staples starter Jimmy Kopack, as the Cardinals scored twice thanks to a Wreckers error.
After Staples tied the game at 2-2 in the bottom of the inning, each squad turned to its bullpen. While Kyle Dunster shined for Greenwich, the Cardinals decimated Staples relievers. Greenwich belted eight hits in the seventh, including four singles, three doubles and Pruners three-run shot.
Playing in this environment is a lot of fun. I just know there are times I just have to man up and throw strikes in there, Callahan said. We know were a good team and that well get hits and score runs.
Greenwich (16-0) is just four games away from a perfect regular season. The Cardinals host winless Bassick on Saturday at 11 a.m.
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