Tornadoes Plow Through Jaguars 8-0 In Tournament Opener

The Golden Tornadoes were determined to get off to a positive start in the 2012 HSBN Fall Classic.

Last fall, the Tornadoes had fallen into a lull that did not lead to great results in the Classic, and so this year the goal was set on using this tournament as a way for the team to come together.

The plan worked out perfectly, as the Tornadoes shut out the Jaguars 8-0 in the opening night of Bracket F contests played at Northeast High.

“We know what we can do when we play our game,” manager Ryan Combs said. “We threw strikes, played great defense and hit just enough. We got a few big hits and players start feeling good about it, and then it starts flowing.”

Matt Fengler drove a hit to center field to easily score leadoff man Garrett Hiott in the bottom of the third inning. Hiott had reached then stole second and advanced to third base to set his team up in perfect position for its first runs.

After Shaw Pinnell singled to extend the inning, Christian Perez lined a shot into center that brought Pinnell in for a 2-0 lead.

The Jaguars were able to squash the threat thanks to a big defensive stop as Anthony Nogueiras fired a perfect throw home on a hit from Vinny Costello that allowed catcher Eduardo Espinosa to apply the tag on a big collision at the plate.

The two teams had gone scoreless through the first two innings, but once the Tornadoes drew first blood they kept their foot on the pedal all night in adding three more runs in the fourth inning, a run in the fifth and two in the sixth.

The Tornadoes lineup featured a glut of strong hitters from the left side of the plate, a formula that worked perfectly on Monday. Every starter reached base in the game to back starter Brian Dolan with more than enough offensive support.

Dolan had known this game was his to start since late last week, and the senior lefty seized the moment in throwing six strong innings on just 64 pitches. He allowed four hits and a walk while striking out five and earning the victory.

“He has no fear,” Combs said of Dolan. “He had good movement tonight, and he had his move to first working too. He didn’t want to come out in the seventh, and he really didn’t throw a lot of pitches.”

After falling behind, the Jaguars came out swinging in the top of the fourth. Alexander Metallides and Jesse Gonzalez had back-to-back deep hits to get into scoring position. But Dolan registered a call third strike to end the threat.

“The pitching was outstanding tonight but we did not do a good job defensively of supporting the pitcher,” Jaguars coach Carlos Iglesias said. “The fall has been good and we have just kept working. But now we get to know the kids true colors, we get to know their character in game situations.”

Bracket F continues on Tuesday as the host Hurricanes face the Bobcats. The Jaguars next face the Hurricanes on Wednesday, and the Tornadoes will play the Bobcats on Thursday night.

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