BETHEL – Monmouth Academy broke things open by scoring six runs in the fourth inning and survived the elements for an 8-3 win over Telstar in a Mountain Valley Conference baseball game Wednesday afternoon.
The marathon contest lasted nearly three hours and was delayed twice because downpours made the field extremely slippery.
Monmouth (9-1) took inventory of the situation, and the batters simply decided to wait out pitches and hit the ball to the opposite field. The strategy worked as the six runs raced home with the benefit of a leadoff single by Kyle Pelletier.
“The rains definitely changed (the complexion) of game,” Monmouth coach Eric Palleschi said. “But that’s the way our season has gone. The players create things on their own, and are then able to take advantage of mistakes.”
Telstar pitcher Terry Collins had started strong by striking out four of the first five batters, however, things progressively went south. The senior right-hander (2-2) struck out seven, but hit four Monmouth batters and walked four.
In the fourth, Pelletier hit an opposite field single and was sacrificed to second by Scott Odgen. Shane Kibler reached on an infield error and then Pelletier, Andy Bellmore, Devin Robbins and Sean Holbrook each scored on wild pitches. Ben Seefeldt drew a bases loaded walk.
“The umpires admitted that they had let play go on to long,” Telstar coach Bob Remington said. “Terry still felt strong, but once the ball got wet it was slipping off his thumb.”
Telstar (3-4) had scored a run in the bottom of the fourth as Mike Brown walked and raced home on Nate Walker’s double. The Rebels who started the season 0-2, had their rally attempt erased by the arm of winning pitcher Bellmore.
Bellmore (3-0) had plunked Kevin Zinchuk, so he was lifted in favor of third base man Josh Parsons. The next batter Ryan Savage hit a shot to Bellmore, who stepped on third base and threw across the diamond to complete the double play.
“That twin killing,” Remington said, while shaking his head, “it seems that all year long our fielders have had to make difficult plays. But, we’re (not getting breaks) because when we hit the ball, it’s right at someone on a charity hop.”
Telstar had gone ahead 1-0 in the second when August walked, Lance Thornton doubled and Brown hit grounded out. Savage added a sacrifice fly.
Cameron Saucier of Monmouth bunted in a run in the seventh.
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