Bristol Central scored early and went on to defeat cross-town rival Bristol Eastern on Wednesday night, gaining a 5-2 decision in a game played at Muzzy Field.
Central scored in each of the first three innings, taking a 5-0 lead, and standout senior left-hander Nate Pirog made the runs stand-up by pitching a strong 6.2 innings.
In the top of the first, Central’s Joe Gratta reached first on a two-out walk. Gratta stole second and continued to third on a BE error on the steal, and then scored on a single grounded wide of third off the bat of Oscar Kuzniar.
The Rams then added three runs in the second. Mikey McMahon opened the inning, reaching first as his pop-up along the first base line was dropped. Rocco Spirito followed with a single to left, putting runners on first and second. Eastern starter Declan Schenck then retired the next two batters before Aiden Lopez doubled to right center to score McMahon. Anthony Santilli followed with another double to right center, scoring Spirito and Lopez, and Central led 4-0.
In the top of the third, Kuzniar opened the inning with a single to left. Caleb Molinsky came on in relief of Schenck, and Mason Allan greeted Molinsky with a double to right, putting runners on second and third. McMahon flew out for the first out and Spirito was given an intentional pass to load the bases. Caleb Simard then grounded to third, with third baseman Anthony Nocera stepping on third for a force out, and throwing home attempting to get Kuzniar trying to score. Kuzniar just beat the throw home, and Central led 5-0, four of the Central runs being unearned.
Pirog, meanwhile, was untouchable through the first three innings, retiring the first nine Eastern batters, seven on strikeouts.
In the fourth, Pirog walked the first two batters. Ben D’Amato grounded into a fielder’s choice at second. Then,Owen Myers singled to left to score Gabe White with the Lancers first run. Preston Guarda followed with a double to right scoring D’Amato with the second run, and Eastern cut the Central lead down to 5-2.
Pirog was tough after the fourth, allowing just one more hit over the next 2.2 innings, and reaching the pitch-limit with two outs in the seventh and having to leave the game. Aiden Lopez got the final out to secure the Central win. Pirog allowed just three hits, walked three, and struck out twelve.
For Eastern, Caleb Molinsky pitched well in relief, going five innings, allowing just three hits, with four strikeouts and three walks (two intentional). Noah Molinsky made outstanding catches in center field in both the first and second innings.
BRISTOL CENTRAL (8-3): 1 3 1 0 0 0 0 – – – – 5 8 0 BRISTOL EASTERN (4-8): 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 – – – – – 2 4 3
Bristol Central: Nate Pirog, Aiden Lopez (7) & Rocco Spirito Bristol Eastern: Declan Schenck, Caleb Molinsky (3) & Owen Myers
WP: Pirog LP: Schenck
2B: BC: Lopez, Santilli
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