05/24/06
Keator leads Roxbury to first title in six years
DELAWARE LEAGUE BASEBALL TITLE GAME
Mike Spier
Contributing Writer
STAMFORD — Davenport&#rsq
| | | Roxbury pitcher Allen Keator pitches in the seventh inning at Archibald Field in Stamford. Keator struck out six in four innings Tuesday to lead the Rockets to a 4-1 victory over Davenport in the Delaware League championship game. |
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uo;s porous defense opened the door and Roxbury senior Allen Keator closed it Tuesday.
The Rockets scored two runs in the third inning and went on to a 4-1 victory over Davenport at Archibald Field to win their first Delaware League baseball title since 1999.
The teams started Tuesday with Davenport holding a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning — a lead that carried over from Thursday, when the game was suspended because of rain.
The Rockets (13-2), who defeated Stamford, 12-1, to win the ’99 title game, quickly erased that deficit.
[an error occurred while processing this directive]Play began with Roxbury’s Anthony Camillone on second with none out in the third. Camillone went to third when Davenport pitcher Brandon Cuddy tried to pick him off second and the throw went into center.
Steven Hubbard’s sacrifice fly to right scored Camillone to tie the score at 1.
With two outs, Keator hit a sharp grounder that bounced off the glove of Wildcats third baseman Dustin Hillis for an error.
Stephen Flachs followed with a grounder that went through Hillis’ legs, leaving runners at first and second.
Roxbury then executed a double steal and Keator scored the go-ahead run when Toombs’ errant throw to third wound up in left field, giving the Rockets a 2-1 lead.
Keator (6-1) struck out six over the final four innings, using high fastballs to keep Davenport hitters off balance.
"It was crazy because the whole time out there I just kept mowing them down," Keator said. "I just had something working out there tonight and my stuff was good enough to help get us the win."
Second-year Roxbury coach Ryan Funck said he was impressed with Keator’s performance.
"Once we got up 2-1 and I saw how dominant Allen was in the fourth inning, I knew we had the game," he said. "That was the best he pitched all year."
The cherry on top of this victory was provided by No. 7 hitter Rob VanEtten.
In the bottom of the sixth, Davenport’s top pitcher, junior Travis Mole, relieved starter Cuddy.
VanEtten turned on a Mole fastball and homered to left-center — a two-run shot that made it 4-1.
"It felt awesome (to homer)," VanEtten said. "It helped give us the championship along with Allen’s great pitching. It really feels good to win."
Wolf added: "Mole needed some work because he hasn’t pitched since last Wednesday. I thought he could hold the bottom of the order. I never expected that home run."
Davenport (8-7) will try to rebound from the loss Thursday against visiting Laurens in a Section Four Class D first-round game. Roxbury opens sectional play at home against Afton on Thursday.
ROXBURY 4, DAVENPORT 1
Allen Keator (W,6-1) and Drew Camillone. Brandon Cuddy (L), Travis Mole (6) and Dan Toombs. 2B— Aaron Dent (D) Anthony Camillone (R), Lucas Brewer (R). HR— Rob VanEtten (R).
