|
|
The East Aurora Blue Devils varsity baseball team improved its record to 4-5 with a hard-fought nailbiter over Springville 1-0 at Hamlin Park on Monday, May 2.
East Aurora boys varsity baseball players put their game faces on while they prepare to face down Holland last Thursday, April 28 in Hamlin Park. Photo by Renea Lauck
Raymond “Donavan” Wojcik fashioned a masterful, complete-game shutout, allowing just four hits and striking out nine with a mix of overhand and sidearm fastballs and changeups that baffled many Griffin hitters.
The only Blue Devil run came in the bottom of the third inning, when Dylan Austin beat the shortstop’s throw for an infield hit. Patrick Broska followed with another infield hit and Wojcik loaded the bases with a short single. Lucas Zanner then launched a fly ball to right-center deep enough to score Austin with the game’s only run.
Defense saved the day a couple of times for coach Steve Sokolski’s boys. In the Springville fourth, catcher Austin attempted to pick off a runner at first, but instead of returning to the base, the runner took off for second. Zanner at first handled Austin’s throw then nailed the would-be base stealer with a perfect toss to Eric Kammer for the out.
East Aurora Blue Devil Dylan Austin holds down the fort from behind the plate during last week’s non-league game in Hamlin Park against the Holland Dutchmen. Photo by Renea Lauck
In the top of the sixth, after second baseman Alex Rumfola threw out a runner at first, Zanner alertly fired to Austin at home, who tagged the Griffin who was attempting to score from third for a double play. With one down in their last chance, Springville put the tying run on first with a single, but Austin cut him down when he tried to steal for out number two. Wojcik then took matters into his own hands, striking out the last batter looking.
Leave a Reply