Baseball: Simeon’s topples Clemente, advances to Public League final

Updated: May 18, 2012 8:11PM

Simeon is hungry for the city title, having lost in the championship game last year, and it showed in a Public League semifinal Friday at U.S. Cellular Field.

The Wolverines used a big inning to dispose of Clemente, 6-3. They will advance to face Lane in the championship game.

Corey Ray (1-for-3) provided the spark in the fourth inning for Simeon (26-7). Stepping up to bat in a scoreless game, Ray blasted a double to the right-field gap. Ray then swiped third on the next pitch. Antwoine Brown (1-for-3, triple) struck out, but the ball got past Clemente catcher Steve Glochowski and Ray flew down the line and crossed home plate standing up.

“We were struggling with the curve ball the first couple innings. But I just waited for the curve and when I saw it, I drove it somewhere. That first run was important, I knew it would get our offense going,” Ray said.

A few batters later, Elbert Dunnigan (2-for-3) ripped a double to the right-field gap, scoring a run. Darien Clifton (2-for-3, double) followed by smacking a ground ball that bounced over the third baseman’s head and brought in another run. After Dunnigan stole home during a double steal, Rowell Coleman (1-for-3) blasted a pitch to right to score Adois Goldon and give the Wolverines their fifth and final run of the inning.

Five runs was more than enough for wining pitcher Blake Hickman, who had a devastating fastball going in seven innings of work. He struck out eight batters while allowing just three runs on six hits.

“I was just throwing a lot fastballs, maybe too many fastballs, but it was working. This was a big game for us. We lost in the title game last year and we want it this year,” Hickman said.

Clemente’s three runs all came in the seventh. Glochowski scored on a wild pitch and Yerbis Arias (1-for-3, two RBI) drove in Juan Figueroa and Jerimiah Figueroa before being tagged at home for the final out.

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