PALOMINO: YOUNGSTOWN STUNS SANTA CLARA

LAREDO, TX- After a long, hot battle with the West Zone champion, Santa Clara Red Sox, Youngstown’s Astro Falcons won it going away 9-4 here Saturday afternoon.  The Astros jumped on Santa Clara’s starter headed to San Jose St., Trevor Allen, for two runs in the top of the first as Braeden O’Shaughnessy double and scored on a base hit by the sizzling Burke Camper.  Camper then scored on a two-out single by Lucas Gulczinski.The Red Sox scored three in the second and led 3-2 heading to the fourth when Gulczinski singled and scored on a Brandon Gelpi double to tie it up at 3-3.  Youngstown broke it open in the fifth. An error opened the door to a five-run outburst keyed by hits from Bobby Lane and O’Shaughnessy. Taking an 8-3 lead into the bottom of the fifth, A.J. Clegg who pitched 3 ⅓ innings in relief of starter Brayden Beck, gave way to Chase Franken.  Franken took the hill with the bases loaded and one out after Santa Clara had cut the lead to 8-4.  He shut down the uprising and pitched 2 ⅓ innings of shutout relief to lock down the victory. Youngstown’s final run came in the seventh when Franken’s double scored Gelpi.  The Red Sox were held to just 4 hits but drew 12 of the 19 walks in the contest.  Devin Baddo had two singles.

 

*STORY CONTRIBUTED BY MARK FRANKEN