Springfield Blue defeats Briarcliffe in SAA EDCO

SAA EDCO - Intermediate

Springfield Blue 8

Briarcliffe 3

Trailing Briarcliffe 3-2, Springfield Blue scored two in the top of the sixth and iced it down with four more in the top of the seventh to take the season opener 8-3.

Blue scored twice in the top of the second as Kyle Pappa walked, went first to third on a Tommy Lyons single, and scored on a squeeze executed by Chris Dougherty.

John O’Doherty then knocked in Lyons for the second run of the inning. In the top of the sixth, Danny Hee, working his way back from a hip injury, pinch hit and got on base when he was plunked by a pitch.

Matt Fuchel reentered for Hee and scored the tying run while Pete Sabato scored the go ahead run both on a Briarcliff throwing error.

In the seventh, O’Doherty gave Blue breathing room when he doubled in Tim Houtmann who had gotten himself into scoring position with a steal. Tim Finnegan followed with a single to knock in O’Doherty and then the star of the game, pitcher Chris Desiderio, doubled in Finnegan and later scored on a two out single by Sabato.

Desiderio was sharp on the hill, going the distance and allowing only four hits while striking out 11. Chris retired the last 10 batters he faced in a row to put an exclamation point on his win.

Excellent defensive plays on the corners were made by O’Doherty and Pappa to keep the victory locked down.