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Thursday, 01 May 2008 |
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By BRENDAN MCGAIR Sports writer PAWTUCKET — Talk about being hung out to dry. What St. Raphael starter Doug Hopper underwent Wednesday no question classifies as that.
By BRENDAN McGAIR
Sports writer
Once again, a SRA starter had a dark cloud cast over his outing thanks to a comedy of errors behind him. The Saints continue to be plagued by errors — errors that hurt even more considered they are being cashed in for runs.
This time it was Woonsocket High the beneficiary of SRA’s not-so intended generous spirit. Hopper was charged with a single run, though the Villa Novans were the ones busing out of Vets Park with an 8-4 win.
This was the cause: four SRA errors. This was the result: seven unearned runs. The crippling blows transpired in the sixth inning, when back-to-back miscues opened the floodgates to significant damage later on.
Harper appeared on the verge of escaping the mess of his teammates’ creation, but the Novans struck iron with two down. Shortstop Justin Rainville jumped all over a first pitch fastball, sending a seed that was just out of SRA center fielder Ray Johnston’s reach. Rainville’s two-run double provided Woonsocket with some cushion, 6-3.
“Big double,” said Woonsocket head coach John Marsalla. “That was clutch.”
The next Woonsocket batter, Jim Castonguay, completed the gift-wrapping with a two-run single.
Handing out freebies is something that hasn’t been sitting too well with the Saints lately. Against Moses Brown last Thursday, one bad inning doomed the cause in a 4-0 defeat. The Quakers scored all the offense they would need in the second, courtesy of (you guessed it) three errors.
Thankfully, the four errors SRA (6-6 Division I-North) was charged with last Saturday against Bishop Feehan didn’t sting too badly because of the contest being a non-leaguer.
Still, veteran head coach Tom “Saar” Sorrentine is looking forward to day when the ball isn’t treated like a hot potato.
“We’re not playing smart baseball,” said a dejected Sorrentine. “We’re making errors and paying for every one we make. Every time we make an error, it seems [the opposition] scores.
“You can’t give teams four or five outs an inning.”
What has to be even more discouraging is that the Saints trotted out their ace in Hopper. The senior was tagged for unearned runs in the first, third and the pivotal sixth. He finished with five strikeouts and two walks.
“I’ve got my top guy going, so you like to think that’s a win,” said Sorrentine after his club was saddled with its fourth straight defeat.
Woonsocket entered Wednesday one spot from the bottom in the division. Now 6-7, Marsella likes the direction which his club is heading.
Marsella’s prime reason for optimism: an offense that continues to show signs as being the Villa Novans’ strength.
“We’re starting to swing the bats like we’re in midseason form,” said Marsalla. “The warm weather is here and the bats are starting to warm up. It’s a good sign.”
Prior to helping out his own cause, Castonguay was relying on his split-finger to hold the Saints at bay. The only frame SRA got to the senior hurler was the fifth, when three straight hits eventually produced two runs.
In going the distance, Castonguay fanned three and walked just two. Tyler Brien went 2-for-4, getting on base three times. Melvin Torres made a couple of nice grabs in center, taking away would-be hits from Nick Gaj.
“As long as keep improving, I like our chances,” said Marsalla.
SRA’s production came from the bottom third of the lineup. Tom Votta was the catalyst in the two-run fifth inning, delivering a leadoff single before eventually coming around to score. Votta, a senior outfielder, reached base twice. Matt Tougas, the No. 8 hitter, was 2-for-3 with a run while Brandon DeCesare (No. 9) added a RBI single.
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Woonsocket 200 014 0 – 8-9-1
St. Raphael 000 121 0 – 4-7-4
Jim Castanguay and Kyle Nordby. Doug Hopper and John Robbins. 2B: Justin Rainville; Nick Gaj.
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Last Updated ( Friday, 02 May 2008 )
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