The Shadow
COVINGTON – In what was a hard fought game on Thursday night, Covington made it back to back wins following a close 4-1 victory over Staunton in a Valley Baseball League game in Covington at Casey Field.
In just his third start of the season, Michael Fortes (W/1-1) was nearly unhittable as he earned his first win of the season. The right-handed pitcher out of the University of Dayton had his best outing of the year to date. The Weston, FL native gave up one run (unearned) on one hit, while striking out seven in six innings, and did not walk a batter. Fortes performance doubled his previous longest outing of the season.
Fortes, who was working a perfect-game through the first four innings, finally got some run support in the bottom of the fourth when Jackson Toberman (0-for-3) scored from third base on a wild pitch. The Lumberjacks would add a second run in the inning on a fielder’s choice ground out from Gregory Melo (1-for-3).
While Fortes was flirting with a perfect game through the first four innings, Staunton ended any hopes with their first batter in the top of the fifth inning who had reached on a fielding error. Next batter Bradley Garner (2-for-3) then ended the no-hit bid with a single to right field and all of a sudden, the Braves had two runners on and no one out after being retired through the first 12 batters of the game.
With a pair of runners on and no outs, Covington nearly grabbed two outs on one swing as AJ Wenrich (0-for-3) was able to reach first base in time to avoid the double play. However, Staunton, who had a runner at third base following the single from Garner, was able to score. The Braves would be unable to capitalize on the momentum as Fortes retired the next two batters on a fly out and strike out to end the inning.
The Staunton offense would struggle the rest of the game offensively as they were 1-for-11 from the sixth inning on.
After giving up a run in the fifth inning, Fortes retired the side in order in the sixth inning. Landon Lucas (S, 2) also in his third appearance, was nearly unhittable as well in his three scoreless innings out of the bullpen. Lucas earned his second save after the Lumberjacks turned a game-ending double play.
Struggles at the plate wasn’t just a Staunton thing, Covington too had a rough go as well as the team went 5-for-27. Chenar Brown (2-for-4) led the team with a pair of hits and runs scored. Meanwhile, Melo, Thomas Marsala (1-for-3), and Spencer Williams (1-for-4), each had a hit in the win.
Garner led the way for the Braves at the plate with two hits.
The two baseball teams have split (2-2) their four games so far against each other this year. The two will meet again four more times, including this Friday in Staunton at Gypsy Hill Park.
Staunton 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 – 1 2 0
Covington 0 0 0 2 1 1 0 0 x – 4 5 3
W – Michael Fortes. L – Connor Henk. S – Landon Lucas
