HAMILTON – After seven batters in the first inning it seemed pretty unlikely that Hamilton Post 31 pitcher Colin James was going to be around come the seventh inning.
James survived the first inning, allowing Broad Street Park 313 just a pair of runs and after that it was all James and Post 31.
He got the final out of the first and then threw six perfect innings and the Hamilton gloves and bats did the rest giving 31 an 8-2 win over 313 on a humid Saturday afternoon on Hamilton West’s field and simulcast on WBCB.
“I wasn’t sure I was going to be around either,’’ said James. “But, I had to trust myself and trust my fielders. I had to locate my pitches and trust my coaches on what they were calling.’’
After trailing 2-1 through the first four innings the Hamilton (6-1) bats answered the call in the fifth scoring three times. A bad-hop single kept the inning alive and the always clutch Evan Bresnan slammed a two-run double to deep left center to make it 3-2. Gennaro Salzano put a ball between third and short that plated an insurance run.
It was more than enough for James, but just to be safe Hamilton Post 31 added four more in the seventh.
“They are a team that will compete every inch of the way no matter what the score is,’’ said Hamilton manager Rick Freeman. “We knew it wasn’t going to be easy.’’
BSP 313 (2-6) has been struggling, but despite the defeat got an excellent effort from Zack Flynn on the mound and they battled the entire game.
“We needed to get three or four in the first inning,’’ said Broad Street Park manager John Costantino. “Since we played them the last time I have liked the way we have been competing. The outcome hasn’t always been a ‘W’ but I can live with guys that compete every single inning and every pitch.’’
One of those playing a key role for Post 31 was Jake Pope, who had three safeties, including a pair of bunts for base hits and one drove home a run.
“The guys in front of me have been working hard to get on base and it’s nice when I can get them to the next bag,’’ said Pope, who was a key in every 31 scoring inning. “We knew this team are competitors and it was good to us to come back and get the win.’’
One of the things aiding the win and James was some words of wisdom from Freeman.
“After the first inning Coach Freeman was telling settle in and relax and to throw how I can throw,’’ recalled James. “From then on I was great. This is definitely one of my best.’’
While James was perfect for six, the bats came alive and what was equally impressive was the flawless fielding on Post 31.
“We have been making the plays for a while now,’’ said Freeman. “That is a big asset when you know the ball is in play and if can be caught, it will be caught. We all work at it.’’
Hamilton Post 31 (6-1) 001 030 4 – 8
Broad Street Park 313 (2-6) 200 000 0 – 2
WP: James, LP: Flynn
2B: H: Bresnan. RBI: H: Bresnan 2, Klingele 2, Salzano 2, Pope 2
