Today in the CBO
News and Notes - Reports from around the Commonwealth
by Nat Wright-Kawolski
22 August 2299
Fort Hagen Clinches IL with 11-3 Win
Andrew Nuka impressed in the 11-3 Fort Hagen win over County Crossing. Nuka, who is on pace for 100 RBI this season, went 3 for 5 with a home run and a double. He drove in 5 runs and scored once. The first-place Silver Shroud have their sights set on making a deep playoff run and have begun that journey by clinching the Institute League for the first time.
David Driftwood swatted a 2-run double for Fort Hagen in the bottom of the second. The right fielder went 2 for 4 for the game, including 1 home run and 1 double. He scored 3 runs and batted in 3.
In postgame comments to the Fort Hagen Gazette, Driftwood said, "If the effort is there, the wins will come."
Nuka has been ripping hits every day for a while now, and nobody seems able to stop him. The Fort Hagen left fielder picked up 3 more today against the Bloodbugs and now has a 20-game hitting streak.
"Definitely somebody's going to stop me at some point," he said later, chuckling. "I'll enjoy it for the time being."
Nuka hit a two-run home run off Zach DiGrande (4-17) in the 1st, hit a two-run double in the 2nd, struck out in the 4th, hit an RBI single in the 6th and flied out in the 8th.
This year Nuka is hitting at a .333 pace with 24 home runs and 92 RBIs. He has played in 99 games and scored 76 times.
Bertha Throws 4-Hitter En Route to 8-1 Witch Hats Win
The Salem Witch Hats picked up a win at Vim! Park of Salem, taking down the Concord Radstags, 8-1. Starting pitcher Tony Bertha was a big reason why. The last-place Radstags have dropped 4 straight games.
Bertha (11-7) was effective against the Radstags, seldom allowing a hard-hit ball. The left-hander limited Concord to just 1 run on 4 hits over 9 innings with 12 strikeouts.
"Winning the game is always the first objective," Bertha said.
On Road, Party Boys Top Adamantium, 8-3
The Nordhagen Beach Party Boys beat the Abernathy Adamantium, 8-3, at Tato Field. Jonathan Angelou, in particular, was impressive. He was 2-3 with a home run and 2 walks, while scoring 2 runs and driving in 2. Nordhagen Beach pitcher Derek Gist got the win. He's now 11-7. Gary Estate was tagged with the loss. The win gives Nordhagen Beach a season record of 65-34.
With Nordhagen Beach leading 2-1 in the top of the third, Angelou hit a fastball from Gary Estate for a 2-run home run. It was his 23rd home run of the season and put the Party Boys ahead, 4-1.
"We did more than enough to get the win," said Angelou.
Quincy Gets 6-2 Win
The Quincy Gunners picked up a win at The Great Green Jewel, knocking off the Diamond City Swatters, 6-2. Starting pitcher Joey Dimes played a key role in the triumph. Dimes got the win, improving to 11-11. He allowed 9 hits and walked 1 over 7.1 innings. Dimes allowed 2 runs. Quincy is now riding a 4-game win streak.
It could have been a different outcome for Quincy, had it not been for Ben Pettinato, the two-time All-Star . Pettinato contributed a 2-run home run in the top of the first inning to put Quincy up, 3-0.
"You can't get too high when things go well, or too low when things go bad. Right now, I'm just happy we got the win," Dimes told the Quincy Citizen.
Hancocks Reel Off Another Win
Goodneighbor Hancocks starter John Oldsink turned in a top-notch performance against the Oberland T-51s at Third Rail Stadium at S. Boston HS. The result was a win for the Hancocks, 4-2. The Hancocks, at 67-32, have now won 6 straight.
Zachary Utsinger dealt the T-51s a blow in the bottom of the fourth. Batting with the bases empty and Goodneighbor leading 1-0, Utsinger, who is tied for 5th in the SCA with a .576 slugging percentage, hit a 2-2 fastball for a solo home run.
"I like seeing our guys get a return on what they've put in," said Goodneighbor manager Jeremy Whiteplate.