Delayed success
McLean dominance sends Skunks to West final
OBSERVER Photo by Scott Kindberg Jamestown starting pitcher Zach McLean delivers to the plate during Monday’s Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League West Division semifinal against Elmira at Diethrick Park in Jamestown.
OBSERVER Photo by Scott Kindberg Jamestown’s Caleb Jordan, left, successfully steals third base in the sixth inning during Monday’s Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League West Division semifinal against Elmira at Diethrick Park in Jamestown.
OBSERVER Photo by Scott Kindberg Members of the Jamestown Tarp Skunks roll out the tarp in the bottom of the eighth inning during Monday’s Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League West Division semifinal against Elmira at Diethrick Park in Jamestown.
OBSERVER Photo by Scott Kindberg Jamestown shortstop Jackson Enders prepares to throw to first base during Monday’s Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League West Division semifinal against Elmira at Diethrick Park in Jamestown.
OBSERVER Photo by Scott Kindberg Jamestown starting pitcher Zach McLean delivers to the plate during Monday’s Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League West Division semifinal against Elmira at Diethrick Park in Jamestown.
OBSERVER Photo by Scott Kindberg Jamestown’s Caleb Jordan, left, successfully steals third base in the sixth inning during Monday’s Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League West Division semifinal against Elmira at Diethrick Park in Jamestown.
OBSERVER Photo by Scott Kindberg Members of the Jamestown Tarp Skunks roll out the tarp in the bottom of the eighth inning during Monday’s Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League West Division semifinal against Elmira at Diethrick Park in Jamestown.
OBSERVER Photo by Scott Kindberg Jamestown shortstop Jackson Enders prepares to throw to first base during Monday’s Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League West Division semifinal against Elmira at Diethrick Park in Jamestown.
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JAMESTOWN -- When Zach McLean toed the rubber to deliver the first pitch Monday evening in the Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League West semifinal, he was wearing the same jersey he was issued upon arriving in Jamestown two months ago.
But when he recorded his final out against Elmira a couple hours later, an argument could have been made to allow him to exchange No. 29 for No. 1, because the right-hander from Seton Hill University was that good.
All told, McLean allowed just three hits through eight innings and struck out 11 to highlight the Tarp Skunks' 8-0 victory. He might have even tossed a complete game, but a rain delay in the bottom of the eighth prevented that, and reliever Jack Santi pitched a scoreless ninth to send second-seeded Jamestown into the West final against No. 1 seed Batavia at 6:30 tonight at Dwyer Stadium. The Muckdogs advanced by knocking off No. 4 Auburn 12-1 in the other West Division semifinal.
Ironically, McLean entered the postseason with a 1-2 record in nine appearances and had pitched to an earned-run average north of 5, but against the Pioneers, he was virtually unhittable, facing just two batters over the minimum and walking only one.
Mikey Geissler (0-1) took the loss, but he allowed just two runs before leaving with two outs in the seventh. As it turned out, the two runs the Tarp Skunks pushed across an inning earlier were all they needed.
Caleb Jordan led off with a single and promptly stole second base. Grant Moore followed with a walk and they both moved up 90 feet courtesy of a double steal. Eric Weeks collected his 38th RBI thanks to a sacrifice fly and Nolan Smith plated Moore with a single to left.
Armed with a 2-0 lead, the Tarp Skunks were in control. And two innings later another RBI single by Smith gave Jamestown a 3-0 lead just as thunder could be heard. After a discussion between the umpiring crew, the grounds crew and Tarp Skunks general manager Christian Dolce, it was agreed to have the tarp rolled out as a light rain began to fall.
When play resumed, the Tarp Skunks tacked on five more runs to win going away, setting up tonight's win-or-go-home game against rival Batavia.
NOTES: In addition to Jamestown's brilliance on the mound, it received a pair of hits by Moore (double) and Smith, and Weeks and Anthony Trommer each contributed a two-bagger. ... Manny Castro, Brandon Doubek and Trevor Reed collected a single apiece for Elmira. ... McLean's pitching wasn't the only impressive performance by a Tarp Skunk. In fact, the team had the tarp rolled out and in place in three minutes.