August 3, 2010
SPLITZ 4, CHICCARINO'S 2
HERMITAGE -- John Napotnik's leadoff homer in the top of the eighth inning Tuesday night helped lift Splitz to a 4-2 victory over Chiccarino's in Game Two of the teams' quarterfinal series at St. Paul's United Church of Christ. The best-of-three series is now tied 1-1.
Fourth-seeded Splitz led 2-0 entering the bottom of the seventh inning but No. 5 seed Chiccarino's tied the game with a pair of unearned runs. Chiccarino's left the bases loaded in the seventh, however, allowing Splitz to then take the lead in extra innings.
Napotnik also doubled for Splitz while Corey Dancak tripled and scored. Tony Meriello doubled and singled while Rudy Banick and Devin Kulka each went 2 for 4. Kulka pitched seven innings and allowed no earned runs. He walked one and did not surrender an extra-base hit. Lynn Saternow pitched the eight to notch the save.
For Chiccarino's, David Harries paced the 12-hit attack by going 3 for 3. Darren Gensler singled twice. Chiccarino's stranded 13 total runners, including eight in scoring position.
Ryan Briggs took the pitching loss, allowing three earned runs in eight innings. He struck out one and did not issue a walk.
Kulka has allowed one earned run in 17 1/3 innings of work against Chiccarino's this season. Splitz has outscored Chiccarino's 24-18 in the five meetings this season (three regular season, two playoff). Game three will be Thursday night, August 5 at St. Paul's at 6:30 p.m. The series winner will face top-seeded Sharon VFW in the league semifinals Monday at 6:30 p.m. at Patagonia Senior.