The Shadow
STAUNTON – After six straight games either postponed or suspended the Covington Lumberjacks were finally back on the baseball field.
In a game that featured a whole lot of offense with a combined 26 runs and 28 hits, the Lumberjacks (8-7) picked up their third straight win following a 15-11 victory over the Staunton Braves.
After building a 6-0 lead through the first three innings, Covington found themselves down 9-7 heading into the eighth inning as Staunton slowly worked themselves back in the game.
The eighth inning proved to be the difference maker as the Lumberjacks pushed across seven runs to build a 14-9 lead. It was a collective team effort scoring the seven runs. Edinson Renteria Jr. brought in a pair of runs on a single that put the Lumberjacks up 12-9. It was Gabriel Miranda’s sacrifice fly out that scored Gregory Melo from third base as the go-ahead run.
As Covington built their win streak up, so too did Melo offensively. Melo for the fourth game in a row had a three-hit day at the plate as he finished 3-for-6 with four RBI’s, including his second home run on the season which came in the second inning on a three-run home run that put the Lumberjacks ahead by five runs.
Along with Melo’s offensive production at the plate, Kendry Noriega also had a three-hit performance. Noriega finished 3-for-4 with four runs scored. Meanwhile Renteria Jr., Logan Braunschweig, and Michael Pavelchak each had two hits. Gabriel Miranda had one hit in the game, but it was a loud one as he belted his second home run of the season.
While Covington used five pitchers on the mound, it was Kyle Pijaszek who was sensational. Pijaszek tossed three shutout innings where he struck out seven to earn the win which was his second this season.
Staunton had four players finish with two hits each, while Cooper Clapp who went hitless led the team with three RBI’s.
As both teams’ offense exploded with hits and run supports, the two teams combined to leave 18 on base. Covington did have a season-high five steals in the win.
The win improved the Lumberjacks to 3-0 over the Braves this season. The two teams will meet one more time on July 12th in Covington.
Covington 1 4 1 0 0 1 0 7 1 – 15 16 3
Staunton 0 0 4 5 0 0 0 1 1 – 11 12 2
W – Pijaszek. L – McDonough. HP – CL: Pavelchak. 2B – CL: Sanchez. SB: Parliment and Maciak. HR – CL: Melo and Miranda. RBI – CL: Melo 4, Miranda 2, Pavelchal, Smith, Renteria Jr., and Sanchez. SB: Clapp 3, Canterbury 2, Jones 2, Yaghoubi, and Maciak. SF – CL: Miranda. SB: Clapp 2. SB – CL: Noriega. Pavelchak, Melo, Bell, and Braunschweig. SB: Clapp and Canterbury. CS – SB: Yabhoubi. LOB – CL: 10. SB: 8.
