Tag Archive for: Palomino

YOUNGSTOWN OFFENSE EXPLODES IN ROUTE OVER AROMA PARK

LAREDO, TX- Aroma Park fell behind early and couldn’t come back in a 24-4 loss to Youngstown on Friday.  The Youngstown Astros scored on a grand slam by Tim Quinn in the first inning, a double by Jason Treveri in the second inning, a groundout by Alex Tomsic in the second inning, and a single by Joe Roth in the second inning.

Youngstown fired up the offense in the first inning, when Quinn homered on the first pitch of the at-bat, scoring four runs.

Aroma Park tallied four runs in the fourth inning. The big inning was thanks to doubles by Samuel Williams and Alex Juranich and a single by Nicholas Heerde.

Youngstown scored 13 runs in the sixth inning. The offensive firepower by Youngstown  was led by RothConor CarneyJimmy SadlerTyler KamererQuinn, and Roth, all driving in runs in the frame.

Ethan Edkins led things off on the pitcher’s mound for Youngstown. The bulldog surrendered one run on one hit over three innings, striking out four.

Michael Feitas toed the rubber for Aroma Park. The hurler lasted one and two-thirds innings, allowing nine hits and eight runs while striking out two and walking one. Nolan AicherJuranich, and Michael O’Connor each contributed in relief for Aroma Park.

Heerde went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Aroma Park in hits. Aroma Park was sure-handed and didn’t commit a single error. Anthony Sykes made the most plays with five.

Youngstown racked up 21 hits. RothTreveriKamererGavin MillerGage Gilliot, and Quinn all managed multiple hits for YoungstownRoth led Youngstown with five hits in five at-bats. Youngstown didn’t commit a single error in the field. Roth had seven chances in the field, the most on the team.

 

“Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved.”

YOUNGSTOWN BEATS THE HEAT, AND TEXAS IN OPENER OF TOURNEY

LAREDO, TX- The Youngstown Astros snatched the lead late in the game in a 4-3 victory over Brownsville on Friday. The game was tied at two with Youngstown batting in the bottom of the sixth when Jimmy Sadler tripled on a 0-1 count, scoring one run.

Youngstown fired up the offense in the first inning. Youngstown scored one run when Tyler Kamerer doubled.

In the top of the fifth inning, Brownsville tied things up at two when Angel Larranaga singled on the first pitch of the at-bat, scoring one run.

Gage Gilliot was on the pitcher’s mound for Youngstown. The pitcher surrendered two runs on seven hits over six innings, striking out five and walking zero.

Jonathan Moody was on the hill for Brownsville. The pitcher surrendered two runs on five hits over three and two-thirds innings, striking out four. Salvador Lopez and Eduardo Guerrero entered the game as relief, throwing one and one-third innings and one inning respectively.

Kamerer went 3-for-4 at the plate to lead Youngstown in hits.  The Astros was sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Sadler had the most chances in the field with six.

Brownsville racked up nine hits in the game. Aldan Delgado and Lopez each managed multiple hits for BrownsvilleDelgado led Brownsville with three hits in four at-bats.

The Astros are set to take on Aroma Park this evening at 5PM EST in their second game of the day.  Stay tuned to YSNLive.com for updates and recaps.

 

“Powered by Narrative Science and GameChanger Media. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved.”

PALOMINO: PUERTO RICO PREVENTS YOUNGSTOWN FROM TITLE SHOT

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

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

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

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

SETTING UP CAMP

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

 

LEADING BY EXAMPLE: PLETCHER AND LESLIE TEACHING MORE THAN BASEBALL

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

PALOMINO: BELL AND BURKE STEAL THE SHOW IN BLANKING MEXICO

LAREDO, TX-  Youngstown’s Astro Falcons jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back en route to a 10-0 victory over Mazatlan, Mexico here Friday morning.  The game was shortened to six innings due to the mercy rule being in effect. It was the first game of the Palomino World Series, a double-elimination tournament that includes teams from North America, Europe, and Asia.  

Logan Bell was masterful, allowing just two hits over the six innings while striking out six and walking none.  He allowed just two base runners to reach scoring position as the Mexican team struggled to make solid contact throughout.  

PHOTO CREDIT: ALLISON BELL

The Astro offense struck right away in the bottom of the first.  Chase Franken and Ricky Havrilla walked setting the table for Burke Camper who had his first of three hits on the day.  Lucas Gulczinski’s sacrifice fly plated camper to give Youngstown a 3-0 lead. Havrilla then drove in Franken with a two-out RBI single in the second.  Camper then blew the game open in the fifth with a two-run blast over the wall in left scoring Franken who had tripled. The Astro Falcons ended it in the sixth with four more runs.  Braeden O’Shaughnessy and Connor Miller singled before that Camper kid ended it with his third hit and fourth run batted in. Franken scored four runs from the leadoff spot. Bryan Rivas and Leonardo Benites had singles for Mexico.

Youngstown will face the West Zone champion Santa Clara tomorrow at 11:30 a.m. CST.  Win or lose they will play a second game later in the day. You can catch all the action at YSNlive.com as we will live stream Youngstown throughout the tournament.

 

*Story Contributed by Mark Franken