4/16/2008 - ‘Runners Split with Panola
CARTHAGE – Angelina College starter Frank Corolla tossed a
complete-game and Matt Thielepape drove in three runs with a single
and a record-breaking two-run homer, allowing AC to take a 10-3 win
over Panola in Wednesday’s opener in Carthage.
The Roadrunners dropped the nightcap 3-2 on an infield groundout in
the bottom of the ninth.
Corolla scattered nine hits but gave up just three earned runs in
going the distance against the Ponies. The righty from Magnolia struck
out two and walked two, using his defense – Corolla distributed his
outs equally, inducing nine fly balls and nine ground balls – in
leading AC to their 14th win in conference play.
Thielepape’s second-inning homer – his third in three games – gave the
Roadrunners 48 for the year, eclipsing the single-season team mark set
in 1999. Austin Lasprilla, who finished the game with a 4-for-4
effort, added to that total with a two-run shot in the fifth; and
Chris Laird and Joey Latulippe – who picked up two RBIs with a pair of
bases-loaded walks – drove in two runs each. Chris Andreas added an
RBI single for the Roadrunners.
AC batted around in each of the first two innings, staking Corolla to
an early 8-0 lead. Thielepape picked up all three of his ribbies in
those innings, scoring Lasprilla from second with a first-inning
single, then bringing home Lasprilla again in the second with a
first-pitch-swinging bomb over the left-field fence to allow Lasprilla
to take the easy trot home.
Lasprilla, who stole four bases in the doubleheader, launched his
first home run in conference play in the fifth after Laird had reached
on a walk.
Corolla’s only real trouble came in the fifth, when the Ponies put
together a two-run inning on a walk and three consecutive singles. But
Corolla went into shut-down mode the rest of the way in earning the
win.
In the nightcap, Pony pitchers Chad Sherman and Aaron Wilkerson
combined to frustrate the high-powered AC offense, with Sherman
allowing a first-inning run on a Keith Prestridge RBI single, and
Wilkerson giving up an unearned run in the seventh when the Pony
defense committed back-to-back errors. Those miscues allowed AC to tie
the game at 2-2, and the game stayed that way heading into the bottom
of the ninth.
The Ponies pulled it out in walk-off fashion when Jonathan Baker led
off with a triple to right. AC reliever Daniel Franchois struck out
Jared Myrick, and the ‘Runners elected to intentionally walk the next
two hitters to load the bases and keep the double play in order.
Panola’s Travis Reagan complied nicely, bouncing a ground ball to
Thielepape at first base. Thielepape fielded the ball cleanly and
threw home to Bryan Mallett for the force at home, but the home plate
umpire ruled Mallett’s foot was off the plate, allowing Baker to score
the winning run.
The split puts AC’s record at 25-15, 14-8 with just six games
remaining in the regular season. The Roadrunners will travel to Mt.
Pleasant on Saturday to take on Northeast Texas.
Game time is noon.
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Angelina College pitcher Corey Benevides delivers Wednesday
against Panola. Benevides gave up just two runs over seven
innings, but the ‘Runners lost 3-2 in the ninth after winning the
opener 10-3. |
Angelina College pitcher Frank Corolla delivers Wednesday against
Panola. Corolla went the distance in AC’s 10-3 win in the opener,
but the ‘Runners lost 3-2 in the ninth to earn a split with the
Ponies. |
EYE ON
THE BALL – Angelina College hitter Chris Andreas keeps a close eye
on the ball during Wednesday’s nightcap against Panola. AC split
with the Ponies, winning the opener 10-3 before falling 3-2 in
Game 2. |
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Angelina College shortstop
Austin Lasprilla takes a throw from catcher Joey Latulippe during
AC’s 10-3 win in Wednesday’s opener. The ‘Runners dropped the
nightcap 3-2 to earn the split with the Ponies. |
