Published: August 12, 2009 12:16 am      

Lansing benefits from timely hitting

LILLY  — Timely hitting helped Lansing survive in a AAABA elimination game at Lilly-Washington Field, as Carl’s defeated Elk County 10-5 Tuesday, sidelining the Kersey Diamonds.

“We bunted well, made a couple good drag bunts, and the key was timely hits when we had guys on base,” Lansing manager Andy Joseph said. “We got some hits after we had guys reach base on walks.”

Elk County, which left 12 runners stranded including eight in scoring position, put two runs on the board in the bottom of the first to take an early 2-0 lead.

Vida McConnell had a leadoff walk and moved to second on a Josh Beimel single. Lansing winning pitcher Logan McAnellen then walked Kasey Clinton to load the bases.

A fielder’s choice allowed McConnell to score and Beimel scampered home on an overthrow.

Lansing evened the game in the top of the third as Carlos Berroa led off with a double to left. A sacrifice bunt by Travis Cline moved Berroa to third.

Andy Rademacker’s single plated Berroa. Rademacker stole second and was able to score on a throwing error by Elk County catcher Zack Buckler.

The Kersey Diamonds regained the lead in the bottom of the third as Clinton led off with a walk and went to second on a sacrifice by Buckler. Andrew Welch’s single brought Clinton home for a 3-2 advantage.

Carl’s took the lead for good in the fifth with a pair of runs, then added three runs each in the seventh and ninth.

Elk County set the final score with a run in the seventh and one in the ninth.

“We used our two best pitchers, we just ran into some trouble with walks,” Elk County manager Roger Beimel said. “Lansing ran the bases well, but they did get some key hits. We usually have a devastating offense, believe it or not. We just didn’t do it. Our hitters have all summer long been able to come through and rally. I thought we would come around. It just didn’t happen in this series. We left 13 guys on base on Monday and 12 (Tuesday).”

McAnellen scattered five hits and struck out seven with eight walks.

“The first inning he was kind of all over the place, but then he finally settled in,” Joseph said about his pitcher.

“He usually has very good control, so I knew he would probably settle in.

“We’ve been hitting the ball all year so I knew we’d hit the ball and give him some support.”

Chris Bossenberry was 3-for-5, driving in two and scoring two while A.J. DeOliviera was 2-for-4, drove in two and scored one for Lansing, which also got a 2-for-4 outing with one RBI from Chad Gromek.

Josh Beimel was 2-for-3 and Buckler, 2-for-4, with Greg Sobol hitting a double for the Kersey Diamonds.