Tag Archive for: Baseball

PONY: FIESTA DE YOUNGSTOWN

/in /by

WASHINGTON, PA- In the blue-collar city of Youngstown, Ohio; there’s time for work, and there is time to celebrate.  On a Friday night, prime time matchup against Mexico, Scott Ruark’s Team Youngstown embodied the city to the letter.  Guasave, Mexico had trouble keeping up with Youngstown in a 6-0 loss on Friday.

A single by Ezequiel Perez in the fourth inning was positive for Guasave, Mexico.  But that’s about where things ended for our friends south of the border.

Class B standout prospect Anthony Miller led Youngstown to victory on the mound. He surrendered zero runs on two hits over five innings, striking out ten. Stephen Tarnoci threw two innings in relief out of the bullpen. Tarnoci recorded the last six outs to earn the save for Youngstown..

Perez took the loss for Guasave, Mexico. He allowed six hits and five runs over six and a third innings, striking out 13.

Jose Alvarez and Perez each collected one hit to lead Guasave, Mexico.

Youngstown racked up eight hits. Ben Slanker and Miller each racked up multiple hits for “The Yo.”  Ben Slanker also took the crown home in the Home Run Derby prior to the game.

Youngstown returns to action Monday evening at 5:30 to face the winner of China and Puerto Rico.

 

“Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2019. All rights reserved.” 

 

PALOMINO: PUERTO RICO PREVENTS YOUNGSTOWN FROM TITLE SHOT

/in /by

LAREDO, TX- Youngstown’s Astro Falcons were within one strike several times of facing Chinese-Tapei for the 2019 Palomino World Series Championship.  For the second time in three days, Puerto Rico rallied in the seventh to take down Youngstown.

Ricky Havrilla was outstanding through five innings allowing just two hits and one walk and Youngstown had a 4-0 lead.  Single tallies in the first, second, third, and sixth innings gave them what seemed a firm grip on defeating Puerto Rico for the second straight night.  But suddenly the strike zone eluded Havrilla, and after three walks in the sixth, ironically his total for the entire summer in Youngstown’s Class B League, he gave up a two-run double cutting the score to 4-2.  Justin Miknis got out of the sixth inning jam and had Puerto Rico down to their last strike on several occasions, but after several foul balls, an infield single trickled just far enough into left field allowing the winning run to score as Puerto Rico put up three runs in the seventh.

Offensively, Justin Miknis had two hits as did Lucas Gulczinski, one of which was a double.  Chase Franken had an RBI triple, his third three-bagger of the tournament. And Brandon Gelpi hit a towering solo home run that gave Youngstown their biggest lead.

It was a heartbreaking ending to a four-day testament to guts and Youngstown grit.  From the outset, Youngstown had the toughest bracket challenge of any of the ten teams in Laredo.  Winning four games over the four days, Don Pletcher’s team did Y-town proud.

 

*Contributed by Mark Franken

PALOMINO: BIG GAME CHASE COMES THROUGH FOR YOUNGSTOWN

/in /by

LAREDO, TX- Facing elimination and seeking revenge for a heartbreaking loss to Puerto Rico on Saturday night, Coach Don Pletcher handed the ball to the battle-tested young man with a championship pedigree, and Chase Franken again displayed the mettle that has earned him a long list of big game victories as Youngstown defeated Puerto Rico 6-3 here Sunday night.

After a shaky start that saw Franken uncharacteristically walk two in the first inning, leading to two runs for Puerto Rico, he found his groove retiring 14 of 15 batters at one point.  He went the distance allowing 3 runs on five hits while striking out six and walking three. 

Offensively, the Astro Falcons took an early 1-0 lead as Franken started the game with a base hit and scored on a sacrifice fly off the bat of Justin Miknis.  They tied the score at 2-2 in the second when Bobby Lane scored on a balk. Then trailing 3-2 in the fourth, Lucas Gulczinski led off with a single and was moved along by a Ricky Havrilla base hit.  Brandon Gelpi drew a walk, setting the stage for the night’s biggest blow. Brayden Beck delivered a bases-clearing triple to right giving Youngstown a 5-3 lead. Franken then drove home Beck to finish the scoring.

Youngstown now faces Puerto Rico for the rubber match tomorrow morning here at Uni-Trade in Laredo.  Once again, YSNlive.com will bring you the game at 11:00 a.m. EST. The winner of that game plays Chinese-Tapei for the 2019 Palomino World Championship at 8:00 p.m. EST. 

 

*Contributed by Mark Franken

PALOMINO: JACK IS KING IN LAREDO

/in /by

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

 

Post Game Interview with Jack Kartsonis

11U: BOARDMAN DEFEATS HAMILTON, BRINGS HOME STATE TITLE

/in /by

CAMBRIDGE, OH- It took every ounce of grit that Boardman had left, but when the dust settled, the Spartans were left holding the title for the 11U State Championship in Ohio.

BCB got out to a five-run lead in the second inning and held on for a 5-4 victory over West Side Hamilton on Sunday. Hamilton tallied four runs in the failed comeback. Hunter Thomas, and Austin Payne fueled the rally with RBIs.

BCB earned the victory despite allowing Hamilton to score three runs in the fifth inning. Hunter Thomas and Austin Payne each had RBIs in the frame.

Collin Resetar earned the victory on the pitcher’s mound for BCB. He allowed six hits and four runs over six innings, striking out 11.  A gem by all standards.

Jackson Taylor was on the hill for West Side Hamilton. He went six innings, allowing five runs on ten hits, striking out six and walking zero.

Boardman tallied ten hits in the game. Vince Butto and Ryan Smith each had multiple hits for BCB. Smith and Butto each collected two hits to lead the team.

“Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2019. All rights reserved.” 

PALOMINO: YOUNGSTOWN STUNS SANTA CLARA

/in /by

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

SETTING UP CAMP

/in /by

When a coach or manager looks for intangibles in a catcher, he’s looking for: Command, IQ, defensive ability, arm strength, and toughness.  With Hampton’s Burke Camper, the Youngstown Astro Falcons added speed, a rocket arm, big bat, a magnet for a glove, high character, and a top-notch teammate to that list.

Point blank, Burke Camper is a nightmare for his opposition.

The Towson University commit entered his second year as an Astro Falcon with an added level of comfort, and it showed in his play.  Especially in the opening game of the Palomino World Series where he drove in 4 RBI’s including a bomb that would make Barry Bonds drop his jaw.  Above all though, Camper is the first to credit his teammates for their contributions.  Camper doesn’t dance in the limelight, and he doesn’t command the attention of the media.  He punches the clock, goes to work and stands in as one of the best on the field at all times.

Our Mark Franken had a chance to sit down with the Pennsylvania Product, Burke Camper in a special Player Profile Presented by R.L. Craig Inc.: SETTING UP CAMP

 

ANSWERING THE BELL

/in /by

It’s been a journey in 2019 for Logan Bell, but one that he’s learned from and grown from to become an Ace for seemingly any team he joins.  Lisbon’s standout pitcher rewrote the record books at his now alma mater, and while that was enough to drive him- the chip on his 6’3 200-pound frame comes from the adversity he’s faced.

Bell will tell you that he’s not the naturally gifted type of athlete, he’s worked (and outworked) his opponents to earn everything he’s been afforded to this point.  The early morning workouts, the late-night study sessions to become a Division 1 recruit and eventually landing at the University of Akron to help rebuild their baseball program.

A fourth-generation Lisbon Blue Devil athlete, Bell showed Astro Falcon Manager Don Pletcher all he needed to see both on the mound and in the dugout.  Bell is one of the rare pitchers that show up in support of his teammates on the days he isn’t pitching.  His demeanor, leadership, and commitment to his team has not only solidified the spot on this ultra-talented roster but has earned him the reputation of being one of the best teammates some have ever had.

“Logan’s a sponge, he’s always asking questions and picking the brains of coaches and players between starts,” said Astro Manager Don Pletcher.  “Logan wants the ball, and he’s a gamer but what impresses me is how he’s constantly showing up and asking how he can support the team in any capacity, a manager’s dream,” added Pletcher.

Bell finished the summer session a perfect 9-0 for the Astro Falcons and was able to live out his dream of opening up the Palomino World Series and facing international competition while blanking Mexico.

Our Mark Franken caught up with Logan Bell after an incredible 2-hitter against Mexico in Laredo in this special Player Profile presented by R.L. Craig Inc. : Answering The Bell

 

LEADING BY EXAMPLE: PLETCHER AND LESLIE TEACHING MORE THAN BASEBALL

/in /by

It’s hard to argue with facts.  When you look at the rosters of the Astro Falcon organization from 10U up, you see the talent that is raw and moldable.  The chief artists among the top of the franchise are two men who have finally been afforded the opportunity to work together to build something special in Youngstown.  Astro Falcon General Manager, Steve Leslie, and Big B Astro Manager have been friends for years, but just this year have they become teammates.

Pletcher brought his successful reign as a manager of the Baird Brothers franchise to the Astro organization in 2019, along with his band of brothers, Emil Bertolini, and Pitching Coach, Billy McCartney.  The only thing missing was a seasoned coach who bled Blue and Orange and had ties to Astro Falcon yesteryear, and Leslie fit that mold perfectly.

So this year the Astro Falcons returned to glory with the championship of the Class B League, as well as a proud victory in the Bob Cene Memorial Tournament, and capped off with a trip to Laredo, Texas for the Palomino World Series.

“Our goal first and foremost was to create a great culture for our players from the bottom up, and Pletch understands and strives to give our families in the organization the best experience possible,” says Leslie.  “To give these young men an opportunity to represent their country, their state, their neighborhoods against the best competition in the world is something they’ll never be able to replicate.”  added the Astro GM.

Our Mark Franken caught up with both gentlemen for a special YSN Coach’s Corner presentation from Laredo, Texas.

 

Astro Falcon Manager- Don Pletcher

 

Astro Falcon/YSN General Manager- Steve Leslie

11U: NOTHING BUT A.G. THING: BOARDMAN PUNCHES TICKET TO STATE CHAMPIONSHIP

/in /by

CAMBRIDGE, OH- You could almost hear Boardman exhale as the fifth inning completed. The Boardman 11u All Stars snagged a late lead and defeated Cambridge 5-3 on Friday. The game was tied at three with BCB batting in the top of the fifth when Ryan Smith doubled on a 2-2 count, scoring one run.

Boardman earned the victory despite allowing Cambridge to score three runs in the first inning. Mason Gregg and Izeyah Burnett each had RBIs in the big inning.

Boardman fired up the offense in the first inning. The Spartans scored one run when Anthony Groner singled.

Cambridge 11u knotted the game up at three in the bottom of the first inning. Burnett drove in two when he singled.

Anthony Groner led the maroon and white to victory on the hill. He allowed five hits and three runs over six innings, striking out 11.

Garrett Cartwright toed the rubber for Cambridge 11u. He surrendered five runs on seven hits over five innings, striking out seven and walking one.

Anthony Groner led BCB  with two hits in three at-bats.  Alex Battaglia had 2 RBI to kickstart the Spartan offense in the first. Boardman didn’t commit a single error in the field. Collin Resetar had five chances in the field, the most on the team, as well as a game-saving stab at first base that ended the Cambridge threat.

Boardman now awaits the winner of the Semi-Final game from the elimination bracket.  The State Championship will be played Sunday at 10am exclusively on YSN.

 

“Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2019. All rights reserved.”