BETHLEHEM — The Bethlehem Plowboys of the Tri State Baseball League earned the second seed in the final regular season standings with a record of 14-6, tying Wolcott. They earned the sport based on their record in head-to-head play. After the bottom #6 through #11 teams battled it out last week in one game Wildcard play, the first round was set. The first round began last Saturday, August 1st in a best of three format, with the top eight teams matched up.
Bethlehem faced #10 CT Sliders, winners of the Wildcard game over the Canton Crush. The Plowboys cruised to their first victory of the playoffs with a 10-2 victory over the Sliders on Saturday. Their next game on Sunday (and a possible third on Monday), were played after deadline.
Nate Cormier collected four hits in five at bats to lead the offense. Cormier hit a solo home run to center field in the eighth inning, singled in the sixth inning, doubled in the fifth inning, and singled in the first inning. The Plowboys got on the board in the bottom of the second inning after Jarrett Michaels walked, and Ty Harkness hit a sacrifice fly, each scoring one run. Bethlehem added two more runs in the bottom of the eighth inning on three hits. Cormier hit a solo home run to center field, and Chase Belisle doubled, scoring one run.
Carsten Donovan earned the win for Plowboys. The righty surrendered six hits and two runs over seven innings, striking out nine and walking one. The starting pitcher went four innings, surrendering two runs (one earned) on one hit, striking out two and walking four. Sam Williams threw two innings of scoreless ball for the Plowboys in relief. The reliever allowed one hit, striking out one and walking none.
Bethlehem collected 11 hits in the game. Jon Wilson and Isaiah Johnson each collected multiple hits for Plowboys. Belisle led the Plowboys with three walks. Overall, the Plowboys accumulated nine walks for the game. The Plowboys didn’t commit a single error in the field. Belisle had the most chances in the field with 10.