Mooneyball: Right-hander lifts Gens over Blowfish
By NEIL FULLER, Sports Editor
Jun 26, 2012, 21:23
(Hopewell News/Neil Fuller) Danny Mooney
PETERSBURG No surprise here.
Right-hander Danny Mooney remained undefeated, scattering seven hits over seven innings, as the Petersburg Generals defeated the Columbia Blowfish 7-2 in a Coastal Plain League matchup Monday night at Petersburg Sports Complex.
Mooney (4-0) struck out six. His ERA now stands at 1.42 the sixth-lowest in the league.
"Danny has been fantastic," Generals coach Bob Smith said. "We're ecstatic with how well he's performing. He has great concentration. He's been able to throw a breaking pitch for strikes. ... He pitches like hes in the (Southeastern Conference)."
Mooney, a 6-foot-5, 210-pound Davidson College sophomore, has recorded 25 strikeouts over 25.1 innings of CPL play. He is a major reason why Petersburg (12-12) remains in contention for its first postseason appearance since 2005.
"(Mooney) pitches just like pitchers in the SEC do in order to be successful," Smith said. "If he's down in the count, he finds a way to throw strikes."
Ryan Parker went 3 for 4 with an RBI and Dillon Vitale drove in two runs to give Mooney enough offensive support. Both delivered RBIs as the Generals erupted for four runs in the fourth inning.
Ryan Hickey also drove in a run during the fourth inning. Hickey, an outfielder from George Washington University, finished with two RBIs.
Nicholas Costas pitched two perfect innings striking out six to close out the Blowfish, who have lost four straight.
Columbia (14-10) had won 11 of 12 before hitting its current skid.
The Blowfish stranded seven baserunners and committed three errors.
Petersburg second baseman Jake Yacinich was 1 for 2, leaving his team-leading batting average at .333.
Todd Joyner and Jarrod Reed drove in runs for Columbia, which took a 2-0 lead in the second inning.
William Ward was 1 for 3 with an RBI from the leadoff spot for the Generals, who won their second straight.
Petersburg is now 6-5 at home.
"Together, everyone accomplishes more. That's the team identity our players have established," Smith said. "If you look at our lineup, a lot of different guys are playing and a lot of different guys are getting the job done.
"Everyone on this team gets a chance to execute. Our guys have really bought into that concept."
