Fair Oaks 2, Auburn 1 (League: 0-0, Overall: 1-1) - May 25 @ William Land Park - In a stark contrast to their game the day before, the Fair Oaks "Oaks" waged a defensive battle against Auburn in their second game of the Memorial Day Tournament at William Land Park.
Pitcher Russ Beldi sends a pitch toward home in the Oaks' tournament game against Auburn May 25 at William Land Park.
Auburn scored one run in the opening inning off Post 383 starter Russ Beldi, but that would be all they would get the rest of the way as Fair Oaks went on for a 2-1 victory.
In the second inning, Oaks' designated hitter Nick Palumbo started things off with a double to center field. Palumbo moved to second on third baseman Justin Hoppes' ground ball to short and then advanced to third on a slow roller to third by first baseman Jim Ott. The ball was booted and both runners were safe.
With two outs, left fielder Sean Chopelas doubled to center to score both runners for a 2-1 Fair Oaks lead.
The Oaks' defense took over the rest of the game with several key plays, including a play at the plate in the sixth inning that could have saved the game for the Oaks'.
After a double followed a leadoff hit, center fielder B.J. Crone pegged a throw back to the infield to shortstop Garrett Schoenfelder, with Schoenfelder in turn relaying the ball to catcher Brad Hicks for the out at the plate.
Relief pitcher Brandon Olson, who had replaced starter Russ Beldi on the mound the previous inning, then gave up a hit to short center field to put runners at first and third with one out.
The next batter, however, lined a shot back to the mound that Olson caught in what had to be a purely reflexive action. After briefly juggling the ball, Olson held on and threw to first to double the runner off and end the inning.
Auburn managed another hit in the top of the seventh with two out, but a chopper back to the pitcher ended the game and gave Fair Oaks its first victory of the tourney.
TEAM
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
R
H
E
AUBURN
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
1
7
1
FAIR OAKS
0
2
0
0
0
0
0
2
5
1
Auburn: Bartsch and Tomich. Top hitters: Bartsch 2x3; Thompkins 2B. Fair Oaks: Beldi, Olson (5) and Hicks. Top hitters: Archuleta 2B; Palumbo 2B; Hicks 2B; Chopelas 2B.
