Moline, IL tops Branford, CT

FROM THE PA LEGION BASEBALL WEBSITE


Game 3 of the 2010 ALB World Series was a high scoring affair between the Great Lakes and Northeast Regional champions. Moline, Illinois jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first. Branford appeared unphased and scored five straight runs in the second and third innings, taking the lead by three.




That's when Moline's offense broke out and posted two straight six run innings. Branford fought back, scoring a combined two runs the rest of the way. It wasn't enough though, as the Illinois state champs put up another run in the ninth on their way to a 15-7 victory. The game featured a staggering twenty-two runs on thirty-four hits with eight errors.




Moline starter Sam Welvaert, who pitched just six innings last week, was roughed up for six hits and five runs in two and two-thirds. Kyle Lewis, Brandon Shaw, and Paul Mills combined for six and a third innings, surrendering just two runs. Lewis picked up the win for the Great Lakes representative.




Shane Coughlin, who had a solid tournament last week, didn't do so well this time around. He gave up eight runs (6 earned) in four innings before reliever John Lefeber pitched the remaining five and gave up another seven runs.




Eric Ashcraft, Moline's starting left fielder, had an incredible game. He had a two rbi home run in the first, a basehit in the third, an rbi basehit in the fourth, a two rbi double in the fifth, and another double in the seventh. He went five for six with five rbis on the day.




Pat Simone had the top performance for Branford, going two for four with three rbis and a run scored.




Branford will return to play Kernersville, North Carolina at 1pm eastern today in the first game of the day. Moline will take on Las Vegas, Nevada at approximately 7pm eastern.