By Peter DiGiovanni
pdgiovanni07@gmail.com
WEST CHESTER – The Jays received a superb pitching performance from former West Chester Henderson product Pete Omiridis for a 3-1 win against the Barnstormers Wednesday evening in West Chester Adult Baseball League action at Hoopes Park
The game was called after 5 1/2 innings due to darkness from an impending thunderstorm, with the Jays getting the official win.
Omiridis went five strong innings and allowed just two Barnstormers hits while striking out eight batters and not walking a single batter.
“My fastball was really very good tonight,” Omiridis said. “My arm felt better as the game went on and I went to some offspeed stuff. My goal was to get ahead of the hitters and finish them off with high fastballs. The weather was so hot you really did not have to warm up much. I was pretty loose out there.”
The Barnstormers (2-7) touched the Jays ace in the top of the second inning when Jack Valentine hit a solo home run for a 1-0 lead.
But, the Jays (3-4-1) came right back in the bottom of the third inning against Barnstormers starter Jack Ellis. Wade Carrothers led off with a perfect bunt single. Then, Sean Slowinski unloaded a long two run home run over the left field fence for a 2-1 Jays advantage.
The Jays’ Sean Slowinski connected for a two-run home run against the Barnstormers Wednesday. Tom Silknitter for Daily Local News.
“I hit a fastball that was a little middle in,” Slowinski said. “I got it right on the sweet spot of the bat and that is always a good thing.”
The Jays scored their third run in the top of the fourth inning against Barnstormers reliever Jason Thornton. Jack Reichlin led off with a single, and that was followed by a Tristian Lander single, moving Reichlin to third base. Justin Weaver grounded out for the first out of the inning, leaving men on first and third with one out.
Thornton unleashed a high wild pitch, and Reichlin streaked down the basepath, and just got in under the tag of Thornton for the third Jays run.
Jay’s Jack Reichlin scores on a wild pitch as Barnstormers’ pitcher Jack Ellis tries to make the tag in the fourth inning. Tom Silknitter for Daily Local News
Omiridis was through after five innings and Jays manager Jeff Riccardo went to Eric MacLuen to finish the game as the skies started to darken and the wind rapidly increased.
In the top of the sixth inning, MacLuen got the first two batters out but the Barnstormers mounted a two-out rally. Pat Cannon reached first base on a Jays infield error. MacLuen then walked Sam Taylor to put two men on.
MacLuen got out of the jam by getting the dangerous Clay Cormiglia to pop out to first base and the Jays survived the threat. The umpires called the game after the top of the sixth inning.
Barnstormers second baseman Clay Cormiglia leaps for the ball as the Jays’ Joe Mozzone slides into second. Tom Silknitter for Daily Local News
“Pete was a freshman at Elizabethtown College this season and he wants to get as many innings this summer as he can,” Riccardo said. “He has given us a quality start every time he has taken the ball.
“We really have pitched well all season, we just have not got the timely hit. Tonight, Sean hit the home run and that got us going but Pete was great again tonight for us.”
Barnstormers shortstop Sam Taylor dives for the ball against the Jays Wednesday. Tom Silknitter for Daily Local News
Jays 3, Barnstormers 1
Barnstormers 010 000 – 1
Jays 002 10x – 3
WP- Omiridis. LP-Ellis.
HR – Slowinski (Jays), Valentine (Barnstormers).