Baseball: Troy Fumagalli pitches Waubonsie Valley past Metea Valley

Updated: May 8, 2012 9:36PM



Waubonsie Valley junior pitcher Troy Fumagalli joked after his team’s game against Metea Valley at Fifth Third Bank Ballpark in Geneva Tuesday that he wished they were able to play until the lights came on.

Fumagalli has nobody to blame but himself for that not happening, however.

Fumagalli one-hit Metea and the Warriors put together a rare offensive barrage in a 10-0, five-inning Upstate Eight Valley win. The win helped Waubonsie salvage the last game of the three-game set after getting swept in a doubleheader Saturday.

“It feels great, definitely,” Fumagalli said. “After saturday, we only had a couple of runs. To get these 10 was awesome. We were a lot hungrier today.”

Despite having trouble locating his curveball and changeup most of the day, Fumagalli (5-1) still managed to strike out eight and walk four in his one-hitter.

“I did a good job hitting my spots with my fastballs, I was hitting the corners well, but I have to find those breaking balls,” Fumagalli said. “I definitely couldn’t find the curveball early. The changeup, you saw me bounce one in the grass there. I’ll try to get those going later in the week.”

Meanwhile, Waubonsie (11-14, 8-9) got the sticks going early and often against Metea (13-14, 10-11). Tyler Hasper delievered a pair of sacrifice fly RBIs in the first two innings to help the Warriors open a 3-0 lead quickly. Zac Steele and Sean Grannan drove in runs in a three-run third that chased Metea starter Matt Karlins (1-4).

A two-run C.J. Lee single and an RBI double from Steele in the fourth helped push the lead to 10-0.

“We got some big hits when we needed them and we were able to execute and do the things that we try to teach, things we want to take advantage of,” Waubonsie coach Dan Fezzuoglio said. “I told the kids when it got to 6-0, guys, remember what happened on Saturday, they had an inning and came back. We thought we had a split and next thing you know, you blink and it’s 5-3. We were able to tack on.”

Meanwhile, Metea coach Craig Tomczak was frustrated by his team’s defense and approach at the plate. The Mustangs committed four errors, which led to seven of the 10 runs allowed being unearned.

“Our pitching didn’t give us a shot,” Tomczak said. “Our defense didn’t give us a shot. You fall behind early 3-0, two errors on bunts, it’s not going to happen. Our approach today offensively and defensively just wasn’t very good. That happens sometimes, but we have to be better.”

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