Published: May 07, 2008 12:31 am            

Bees blast Knights in opener

PLEASANT VALLEY — A week of distractions did little to dampen East Fairmont’s enthusiasm for the opening game of the Class AAA, Region I, Section 4 baseball playoffs.

With head coach Vic Seccuro sitting out the final game of a suspension for having a pitcher throw too many innings, the Bees made quick work of the Knights, 10-1, to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of-three series.

“This a great win, as Coach Seccuro would say,” East Fairmont assistant coach Ray Bonnett said. “We’ve had a lot of distractions, but the team is focused and working hard.”

East Fairmont ace Devin Bowles did everything he needed to win the game.

The Bee hurler went six innings, allowing only one run on three hits. He struck out eight batters and walked two.

He also helped his cause at the plate going 3-for-4 with four RBI and falling a triple short of the cycle. He hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the sixth to left-center field to put East up 10-1.

It was one of two Bee home runs on the day. Nick Bonnett hit the other, a two-run shot down the left-field line in the second. The long ball put East up 5-0 at the time.

East took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Bowles singled home Seth Quirk and Bonnett. Jacob Bower followed with a two-out double to score another run.

The Bees scored at least one run in every inning but the third.

Preston’s only run came on a solo homer by catcher Matt Lewis in the bottom of the fourth. It was the Knights’ second hit of the game.

East’s Kyle Zelenak pitched the final inning of the game to earn the save. He faced four batters, striking out one.

“We need to keep working,” Bonnett said. “Anything can happen in baseball. You need to do all the things — hit, run, catch, pitch. We know the road to the state tournament goes through West Side, but we’ve got to take care of Preston first.”

East had 11 hits in the game against Preston’s Brandon Booker.

Bowles led the way with three hits. Quirk, Bower and Bonnett had two hits. Tyler Jordahl and Travis Nuzum both had singles for the Bees.

Corey Luzier, Richie Roba and Lewis each had a hit for the Knights.

The two teams will play the second game of the series today at 6 p.m.

E-mail Mike Bowen at mbowen@timeswv.com.

        

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