OWEGO – For the first time since 2003, the Norwich Purple Tornado baseball team ended a Section IV playoff game with a win after topping the Owego Indians 2-1 Thursday afternoon.
The scoreboard stayed 0-0 for the first the innings. In the top of the fourth, it finally changed.
As the lead-off batter for Norwich, J.T. Vinal faced a 1-2 count. Needing to make contact to avoid the first out of the inning, Vinal smashed a hard ground ball to Owego’s shortstop for a single.
Just one pitch later, the Purple Tornado’s Marcus Cashman sent a line drive to the right fielder. His hit sent Vinal home from first, scoring the first run of the inning and the first by either team for the game. Cashman landed a second for a double.
Mike Trevisani stepped up to the plate two batters later for the visiting team. Ready to drive in his teammate on second, Trevisani swung on the first pitch of the at-bat but missed for strike one.
The next pitch he saw, he sent to center field.
Owego’s center fielder Dylan Simpson fielded the ball and relayed it to home plate. Cashman was sent home by Norwich Head Coach Rich Turnbull. The timing of both actions happening created a play at the plate.
As described by Turnbull, Cashman made a “beautiful” slide to avoid the tag put on by the Indians catcher and to score the second run for the Purple. Trevisani stopped at second base for his RBI double.
It turned out to be the game-winning offensive play for Norwich.
In the sixth inning, the Tornado’s Tanner Franklin made the game-saving defensive play to hold onto the lead.
Owego’s Luke Kiballa sent a shot into the gap of center field and right field. Getting a good jump on the ball, Franklin made a running catch to end the sixth inning. “If he doesn’t make that catch, Owego at least ties the game,” said Turnbull. The Indians had a runner on second.
Owego scored a run earlier in the frame to cut the Norwich lead down to one run.
Simpson walked in the seventh inning for the Indians, who were hoping to start a final inning rally to score one run for the tie or two for the win.
Taking an aggressive approach on the bases, Simpson attempted to steal second.
Vinal was behind the plate for Norwich and made a great throw down second for the final out of the game.
“We have worked hard to get to this and it paid off tonight...it’s not about one person it’s a total program effort and a lot of people were part of this win,” said Turnbull.
“I’m proud of the guys and would like to thank community for supporting us. We have received a lot of congratulations and we couldn’t have done it with everyone’s support”
The Purple Tornado tallied six hits in the game. With Cashman and Trevisani both hitting doubles, Justin Bates, A.J. Little, Vinal and Franklin all recorded singles.
Aaron Johnson for Owego went 2-for-3 in the loss.
Cashman was credited with the win for the Purple, pitching the full game. He allowed just four hits while ringing up 10 Owego batters.
Jason Kithcart started the game for the Indians. Kithcart lasted four and a third innings, giving up five hits. He recorded five strike outs. His teammates Donnie Baron and Luke Kiballa came in from the bullpen to finish the game.
Norwich will now have the weekend to prepare for the top-seeded Seton Catholic Saints. The game is scheduled for 4:30 p.m. but the location is yet to be announced.
“We respect them but know we can play with them,” said Turnbull about Norwich’s next opponent.
Norwich 2, Owego 1
Norwich 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 – 2 6 2
Owego 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 – 1 4 3
Marcus Cashman (W) and J.T. Vinal. Jason Kithcart (L), Donnie Baron (5), Luke Kiballa (7).
Doubles: (N) Mike Trevisani, Marcus Cashman.
Class C
Trumansburg 18, Bainbridge-Guilford 3
TRUMANSBURG – A nine-run second inning set the tone for the Class C sectional playoff game between the Bainbridge-Guilford Bobcats and the Trumansburg Raiders. The nine-run frame was in favor of the host Trumansburg as they went on to win the game 18-3 Thursday, ending the Bobcats 2018 season.
Leading 11-0 after two innings, the Raiders’ offense continued to produce as they scored another four runs in the third, two in the fourth and one final run in the sixth.
Bainbridge-Guilford was held scoreless until the fourth inning.
Garrett Ives kicked off the rally with a lead-off double to center field. Ives advanced to third on a left field single by his teammate Evan Hyzer.
Two pitches later, Trevor Halaquist sent a fly to ball to the left side of the outfield, scoring both Ives and Hyzer. Halaquist recorded a double on the hit.
Halaquist put himself into scoring position when he stole third base during Jon Castle’s at-bat.
