Lindenwold Avoids No-No But Gloucester City Advances

By Vincent Lewis
SJSports Staff Writer

No team can really predict an outcome of a game based on their regular season statistics or standings. With the start of a new season called the playoffs, players find a new level of excitement of playing in the game and executing the fundamentals of baseball in order to move onto the next round. In a first round South Jersey Group 1 match-up, Gloucester City was the patient team taking advantage of the scoring chances Lindenwold provided. The Lions from Gloucester posted a 7-0 victory with pitchers Andrew Meyers and Gary Bobo combining for the one hit shutout.

The coaching staff from Gloucester noticed something that Andrew Meyers was doing on the mound. Their starting pitcher had completed five innings striking out two, walking two and had not given up a single hit. With a comfortable 7-0 lead, Meyers’ day was done giving the way for Bobo to take over in the sixth inning. After getting the first batter to ground out to short, Conn second at bat of the game got enough of an inside fastball to drop a single just over and out of reach of first baseman Sean Curran’s reach. Conn’s hit avoided the no-hitter to give Lindenwold something to celebrate.

Leadoff batter Adam Tussey singled, stole second and moved to third on the throw into the outfield set up Ryan Elder’s run batted in single. The second inning for Gloucester started out the same by getting that all important leadoff batter on base. Now with a 3-0 lead, Chris Daniels dropped a perfect bunt single down the third base line to start off the second inning. Ten batters later, Daniels would also end the inning as Gloucester left the bases loaded but scored four times.

Walks played an important part of Gloucester’s early success, but once McAnany began to settle down, neither offense had any luck producing runs. Lindenwold’s McAnany and Monaghan combined for six strikeouts holding Gloucester to just two hits during their last four at bats. Gloucester, on the other hand, did not allow a runner to second base during their one hitter. Second baseman Bryan Bartley finished the game with two hits and three RBI and two walks. Andrew Meyers picked up the win for Gloucester as McAnany suffered the loss for Lindenwold.