Tornadoes Swoop up Bears
June 22, 2012 - Canadian American League (Can-Am)
Worcester Tornadoes News Release
Even when the tarp was pulled at Hanover Insurance Park at Fitton Field, Friday's home stand opener in Worcester seemed to be in doubt. But even though there were buddles on the field and on the clay warning-track, starting pitcher/pitching coach Ryan Bicondoa kept to his pregame routine.
And Bic seemed to be completely un-phased. The 33-year-old right-hander pitched one of his best games of the season to earn his first win of 2012. The Tornadoes went on to beat the Newark Bears 3-2.
Ryan Bicondoa went eight innings, not surrendering an earned run and striking out 12 Bears hitters, becoming the first Tornadoes pitcher with double-digit strikeouts in a start.
That was his enough to edge out Newark's starter Brian Parker, who gave up all three Tornadoes runs, striking out seven.
The scoring got started for the Tornadoes rather quickly, with returnee Alex Nunez scoring his first run at the HIPFF after Jerod Edmondson laced a double to right field. Edmondson later scored on a sacrifice fly from Alex Trezza, giving the Orange and Black an early 2-0 lead.
Johnny Welch tacked on a third run in the third inning when a ground ball down the third base line stayed just fair for a double, which helped Alex Nunez score from third base after he hit the first Tornadoes home triple.
Bicondoa continued his roll, but hit a speed bump in the fifth, when two errors and a balk scored Burt Reynolds and Billy Alvino. The balk resulted on a fake-to-third throw-to-first gone wrong, as the Bears cut the deficit to just one run.
However, the Tornadoes' veteran right hander did not slow down, continuing his drive towards his eight inning effort, which concluded with striking out the side in the top of the eighth inning.
Nick Serino came into the ninth and only allowed one base runner to collect his second save of the season.
With the win, the Tornadoes now sport a 12-22 record, which now slides them into fourth place in the Can-Am Standings. The Newark Bears meanwhile fall to 11-23, and sit at the bottom of the standings.
The Orange and Black resume their series with the Bears tomorrow, a 7:05 PM night cap on Superhero Night at the HIPFF. Dan Sausville is in line to get the start, facing off against Caleb Cuevas of Newark.
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Canadian American League Stories from June 22, 2012
- Can-Am League Results - Can-Am
- Jackals And Airhogs Suspended After 16th; Resume Tomorrow - New Jersey Jackals
- Tornadoes Swoop up Bears - Worcester Tornadoes
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