PALOMINO: JACK IS KING IN LAREDO

LAREDO, TX- Jack Kartsonis kept Youngstown’s hopes for a championship alive. In an East versus West rematch, the Youngstown Astro Falcons again defeated the Santa Clara Red Sox 3-0 here Sunday afternoon. Santa Clara came to Laredo with a bullseye on their backs as five-time champions of the Palomino World Series. Youngstown Coach Don Pletcher marked them as the team to beat again this year.

Game two was more of a pitcher’s duel than the first encounter. Kartsonis spun a complete game shutout scattering six hits, striking out four, and walking none. He allowed just one baserunner into scoring position while pounding the strike zone throughout. He credited his changeup and breaking ball saying he really didn’t have his best fastball.

Santa Clara used three pitchers to limit the Astro Falcons to just three hits. But two of those hits were triples in the second inning. Lucas Gulczinski started the inning with a three-bagger and scored on an Andrew Sabella ground out. Then after two walks, Chase Franken drilled the gap in left-center to complete the three-run frame. And that’s all Kartsonis would need.

Youngstown earned a rematch with Puerto Rico as they look to avenge the heartbreaking loss Saturday night.

*Contributed by Mark Franken

Post Game Interview with Youngstown Manager, Don Pletcher