Mathews sweeps Bristol in twin bill
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NILES -- A little bit of momentum can go a long way. Such was the case for Mathews on Thursday.
Playing against Bristol in an unusual doubleheader Thursday at Eastwood Field, the Mustangs swept the twin bill, earning a 4-3 walk-off win in 10 innings in Game 1 and a 5-1 victory in Game 2.
The first matchup was the continuation of a game from earlier this season that was suspended due to darkness, and was capped by a walk-off single from Dominic Toto. That set the tone for Game 2, in which Mathews (5-2) scored three runs in the first inning and never relinquished the lead.
"It absolutely gave us a boost," said Mathews coach Jared Terlecky of the momentum from Game 1's walk-off. "When Toto got that game-winning single in the first game, you saw it just carried right over to the second game. We continued that and got three more runs. ... Hitting that single really fired us up."
Indeed, shortly after celebrating the conclusion of its first win, the Mustangs were back at it in Game 2. Toto led the top of the first with a single, and Alex Nicholson followed with an infield single to put two on. Ethan Petak took advantage, knocking a 2-RBI single to score them. He was later driven in by a single from Carson Zoccole.
The Mustangs added two more to their lead in the fifth inning. Petak and Zoccole each finished with a pair of RBIs, while Christian Mudrey drove in the other.
"Our hitters did what they needed to do, and the other guys contributed like they needed to," Terlecky said. "We had a big hit from Ethan Petak, and a nice hit by Corbin Zoccole. It was a team win, because everybody contributed."
That provided all the run support Nicholson needed. The Mathews ace actually pitched in both games, delivering three shutout innings in Game 1 before hurling six more in Game 2. On just 68 pitches in the second matchup, he allowed two hits, struck out six and walked one.
"His poise on the mound," Terlecky said of what stood out about Nicholson's day. "When you need a big out, it seems like he plays bigger in those moments. I went out to get him when he was at 93 pitches in the sixth inning, and they had a runner on second and one of their great hitters up, Nick Church. I went out there, and I was going to bring in a new pitcher, and Alex said, 'Coach, give me one more. I have one more.' ... So I did and he came back and got a big-time strike out. Those moments are what make a game."
Bristol (2-5) got a run back in the bottom of the fifth as the Mustangs committed an error while trying to turn a double play. Then, the Panthers got a little momentum in the bottom of the seventh, putting two runners on. But Heydon Matheny stymied the rally to deliver the victory. Brent Songer delivered the Panthers' lone RBI, while Hadyn Mahan and Kaiden Kohler notched Bristol's two hits.
Bristol coach Jeff Thompson acknowledged that the frequent cancellation of games has made it hard for his hitters to find consistency, but more so credited Nicholson for his performance.
"He knows what he's doing -- he commands the strike zone, and he makes you hit his pitches," Thompson said. "Early on, that's what we were doing -- we were swinging early. Later on, I told the kids, 'We got to get his pitch count up to get to somebody else.' He's just a good pitcher."
Thompson also says his young squad is "close to being a good team" but just has to come up with hits and plays when it matters most. The Panthers committed three errors in the field, which hurt what was a strong day from starter Nick Church, who lasted three innings and gave up two earned runs on four hits. He struck out four. Diesel Williams came on in relief and gave up a pair of unearned runs in two innings of work, and struck out two.
Thompson added, "If you want to beat Mathews, you have to beat Mathews (yourself) because they're not going to beat themselves. They're very well-coached, and the kids know what they're doing."
jwhetzel@tribtoday.com