BY JOSH CUTLER

PLANET VALENTI Sports

(PITTSFIELD, Mass., Wednesday, June 1, 2011) — Just when it seemed as though the fate of the Pittsfield Colonials’ offense might take the same silent path as the past few days, the bats arose from their slumber in a five-run eighth inning and propelling the C’s to a 7-2 victory over the Rockland Boulders Wednesday morning before 624 sonic-loud fans at Historic Wahconah Park.

The win gave the Colonials a split of their four-game set with the Boulders as they take a 4-3 record north of the border to Quebec, where they will face the defending Can-Am League Champion Capitales for four games beginning Thursday night.

HOW SWEET IT IS: The Pittsfield Colonials celebrate their 7-2 win over the Rockland Boulders Wednesday afternoon at Belowed Wahconah Park, Pittsfield, Mass. (Josh Cutler for PLANET MEDIA Sports)

Eighth Inning Magic For Colonials’ Bats

The C’s could not score through the first six innings, the bats quieter than a fly landing on a cotton ball. Fortunately, lefty David Qualben kept Rockland off the board. Through six, the teams were locked in a classic scoreless duel.

The Colonials finally found their stroke in the eighth, with luck aiding the cause to begin the inning after the Boulders had nicked Qualben for a couple of runs in the top of the frame. Jerod Edmondson led off with a routine grounder to short. Bridger Hunt booted it, though, one of two errors he made on the day. Quentin Davis then sacrificed Edmondson to second base to place tying run in scoring position. Then, the C’s did something they haven’t done much in the early going: They cashed the base runners.

Electing to use a righty on righty matchup, Rockland Manager Dave LaPoint instructed reliever Kyle Wilson to intentionally walk Danny Bomback to get to Angel Molina.  Molina made the Boulders pay when he laced Wilson’s 2-0 pitch into left to plate Edmondson to make it 3-2.

Trying to minimize the damage, Wilson intentionally walked Billy Mottram to set up a potential double play and a play at any base.  With the sacks loaded, Johnny Welch drew his first walk of the year to force in the fourth Colonials’ run.  Justin Fry then replaced Wilson, but Scott Knazek’s bloop single to center scored Molina and Mottram, extending the lead to 6-2.  After a Chris Torres popout, backup second baseman Charlie Pagliarulo, subbing for Matt Nandin (oblique strain; Danny Bomback moving over to short), lined a 1-2 pitch into left, scoring Welch and making it 7-2.

Keefe Please with ‘Important’ Win

Colonials’ Manager Jamie Keefe was pleased with his team’s offensive output later in the game: “It was really important for us today to get our offense going and plate those runners in scoring position, especially after last night.”

FOR STARTERS — David Qualben, Wednesday's starting pitcher, went 7.1 strong innings but didn't figure in the decision of a 7-2 Colonials' win (Josh Cutler for PLANET VALENTI Sports)

Qualben (1-0, 2.40 ERA) turned in his second straight dominant outing, allowing two runs on six hits in 7-1/3 innings, walking three while striking out four on 108 pitches (72 strikes). He cruised through the Boulders’ lineup until the seventh, when Rockland strung together some base runners, taking the initial advantage in the ballgame.

Hunt led off the inning with a bunt single to first, which Edmondson left first base to field, leaving the bag unoccupied. Nate Hutchins then sacrificed Hunt to second.  A Sean Smith walk and a Tommy Giles single later, Todd Jennings’ sacrifice fly gave the Boulders a 1-0 advantage.  Ryan Mollica then laced a 1-2 single to left-center, plating Smith with the second Rockland run.  Though a passed ball by Knazek allowed two more runners into scoring position, Qualben got Dustin Smith on a grounder to second.

Overall, Qualben was pleased with his performance, his second consecutive seven+-inning effort to begin his 2011 campaign: “I was pretty happy with my command today, although I would have liked to stay in the game to see that big 8^th inning,” Qualben said. The win went to Rafael Lluberes, who got the final five outs.

Lincoln Impressive In Early Going

MEETING AT THE MOUND — Jamie Keefe discusses strategy with his infield. Scott Knazek (8) has back to camera. Counterclockwise, Jerod Edmondson, Mike Pagliarulo, and Danny Bomback. At left is third baseman Johnny Welch. (Josh Cutler for PLANET VALENTI Sports)

Boulders’ left hander Roger Lincoln kept the Colonials off the board through the first six, allowing only two hits while striking out eight (including the side in the 2^nd inning).  But with a 2-1 lead in the 7^th inning and a runner on third with one out, LaPoint elected to go to the pen with the righty Wilson, who then allowed a Knazek single to center, plating the tying run.

Hunt led the way offensively for the Boulders, going 2-3 with a triple and a run scored.  Molina, Mottram, Knazek, and Pagliarulo each contributed two hits apiece for the Colonials. Knazek had three RBI.

COLONIALS NOTES: Miguel Flores, Dan Cevette, Pat Moran, and Tim Stronach will be the four Colonials starters against the Capitales this weekend at Stade Municipal in Quebec … close to 500 students from Allendale, Egermont, and Williams Elementary Schools in Pittsfield filled the grandstands on “School Days.” The kids provided the Colonials with raucous, enthusiastic support …The “School Days” experience also featured lectures on the history of baseball from local baseball historians Jim Overmeyer and Larry Moore … While the Colonials are on the road this weekend, Wahconah Park will be the home of the inaugural “Berkshire Countryfest” on Saturday (6/4), featuring a who’s who of regional entertainers, headlined by Pittsfield native Michael Joseph.

BOX SCORE

Winning Pitcher: 30 – Rafael Lluberes Losing Pitcher: 21 – Kyle J. Wilson Save Pitcher:

Date: 06/01/2011 Start Time: 10:34 AM Duration: 2:34 End Time: 01:08 PM

Plate Ump: Rick Elrod Field Ump #1: Robert Dickerson Field Ump #2: Craig Potter Field Ump #3:

Location: Wahconah Park Attendance: 624 Weather: Sunny, 83 degrees

Pitching Stats