Baseball: York wins pitchers' duel against Benet
It's a no-decision Burke Corcoran gladly will take.
Three York baseball pitchers combined on Wednesday's 1-0 nonconference win over Benet in Elmhurst, but it was Corcoran setting the tone with 5 scoreless innings to start the shutout.
The Dukes (4-0) stayed unbeaten after scoring the game's lone run in the bottom of the sixth, an inning too late for the senior lefty to earn the victory.
“I'm always rooting for our offense to get some runs, but a game like this keeps me focused,” Corcoran said. “I know I've got to shut them down because we're just not hitting. It's cold weather and they threw a good pitcher.”
Corcoran scattered 4 hits, struck out three and walked none. Countered by Benet starter C.J. Birck, he needed to be that good.
Birck also got a no-decision after 5 innings of work, allowing York's only hit in the bottom of the fifth. Birck struck out eight, including six in the first two innings, while walking one and hitting a batter.
Benet (2-2) had 2 hits in the top of the sixth and put runners on second and third with one out. Winning pitcher Austin Gelsomino, however, coaxed a popout and fly out to keep the shutout intact.
After Gelsomino allowed a one-out walk in the seventh, Scott Tucker retired the next two batters to end the game and earn the save.
“It's early, and we'll get better at the plate,” said Benet coach Scott Lawler. “I'm really excited because we've played four games and coming in I think we had a (0.66 ERA). If C.J. can throw like that, we'll be in good shape.”
York scored its unearned run when Ian Steinorth walked with one out. He went to second on an errant pickoff throw, stole third and came home on a wild pitch. Erik Jones doubled twice for Benet.
“I hate to use a term that's been used a lot in baseball the last few years, but we just keep grinding it out,” said York coach Dave Kalal. “They're sticking to the process and the mental approach, and it's paid off for us here early in the season.”
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