Pioneer baseball beats Wood

April 18, 2012
By Greg Brill

Special to The Winchester Star

WINCHESTER — James Wood was hoping to build off its run-rule win over Handley on Monday.

That didn’t happen.

Millbrook was looking to move forward after an emotional win over Sherando last Friday that raised the Pioneeers up into a contender in the Northwestern District baseball race.

Good things did happen Tuesday night for Millbrook in its game at James Wood.

A lot of good things.

Sophomore right-hander Laith Abunasser pitched five shutout innings and the Pioneers scored eight runs in the first two innings on their way to a 12-0 win over the Colonels at R. Charles Hott Field in a game shortened to five innings due to the mercy rule.

“We jumped on them fast, they got down, and we kept coming at them,” said Millbrook sophomore shortstop Jacob Jaye, who went 2 for 3 with a triple, three runs scored and two RBIs from his leadoff spot. “It was a good effort on our part at the plate.

“With the [Sherando] win from last week we could have easily gotten down and took that as an emotional high, but we came out ready to play tonight.”

The Pioneers (9-3, 5-2 in the Northwestern) took care of things by opening an 8-0 lead before James Wood (5-7, 2-4) came to bat in the second inning.

Facing Colonels freshman Colin Benner, the Pioneers put the ball in play and made things happen.

Jaye opened the game by drawing a walk and Ethan Mathews followed with a fly to left field that was dropped, allowing Millbrook to take a 1-0 lead.

Matt Fazenbaker (3 for 4, two runs scored) then looped an RBI single into center field to plate courtesy runner Daniel Nawrocki (three runs scored) and give Millbrook a 2-0 lead three batters into the game.

Benner got out of the first without any further damage, but Millbrook broke things open with a six-spot in the second against three different pitchers.

The Pioneers sent 12 batters to the plate in the second and found several different ways to score.

A leadoff single by Bradley Smith was followed with a hit batsman and sacrifice bunt by Bruce Keenan. Jaye then jumped on a first-pitch from Benner to drive a two-run single to center.

Mathews (1-for-3, two RBIs) lifted a run-scoring single to left and Fazenbaker also singled to end Benner’s outing after just four outs.

In came left-hander Justin McDonald, who wild pitched a few runs in, including Fazenbaker after striking out Ryan Hartigan.

With two outs, Abunasser (2 for 4, three RBIs) helped his cause with a single to left to make it 8-0. McDonald gave up a four-pitch walk before he was lifted in favor of Zach Webster.

Webster finally got the Colonels out of the inning, but the damage was done.

James Wood continued to struggle, giving up three unearned runs after two errors in the third and the final tally in the fourth on Mathew’s sacrifice fly following Jaye’s triple.

Coming off a 15-1 win at Handley on Monday, the Colonels had trouble finding consistency in any phase of the game a day later.

“They came out and punched us in the mouth and we had no answer,” James Wood coach Jared Mounts said. “We just didn’t play any of the three phases of the game well.

“... We want to stay in that two-three [spot] in the district [standings], and we’re not doing it right now. Typically coming off a win and not playing well, I’m not sure why that is. But you’ve got to be consistent in this game and come out and win when you can. And we didn’t do it tonight.”

For Millbrook, Abunasser (2-1) pitched a solid game. The lanky right-hander spaced five hits (only one for extra bases) and worked efficiently (only four strikeouts) to trust his defense to make plays behind him.

“It wasn’t just me — it was my defense helping me out,” Abunasser said. “I had four strikeouts and [catcher] Ethan [Mathews] was setting up well behind the plate.

“When I go up there and throw strikes I find a rhythm. I’ll work fast, and maybe I’m not supposed to. But it helps my rhythm.”

Millbrook coach Brian Burke likes Abunasser’s approach on the mound and how his recent performances have helped the staff.

“Laith has given us quality starts,” Burke said. “The thing with Laith is he is not afraid to challenge hitters. Even when he does fall behind, he trusts his defense.

“He’s gotten great run support the last few times out, so he’s learned to pitch with a lead and not look to overpower and strike everyone out.”

With his team’s win streak improving to six, Burke is glad the Pioneers are dialed in and playing solid baseball.

Millbrook is a game behind district-leader Sherando [series tied 1-1] with one more game left later in the season with the Warriors.

“Coming off the win over Sherando, this very easily could have been a time to let down,” Burke said. “So, the kids focus tonight was outstanding. We’ve continued to get better at the plate as the season has progressed and we’re all pleased that the guys are putting the ball in play versus striking out.

“The chemistry’s good. These guys are team players and not worried about individual stats. That makes a difference from what we had last year and what we have this year. They’re confident in one another and they look for someone else to pick them up when their down.”

James Wood honored former coach Ed Baker, who died of cancer last July, before the game. Baker helped with the Colonels’ baseball program for 19 years and James Wood has dedicated the 2012 season to his memory.