Published: August 12, 2009 12:22 am      

Tampa holds Columbus at bay

PORTAGE — Al Tampa pitched six strong innings and was backed by a 16-hit parade as New Brunswick downed Columbus 10-6 Tuesday in the AAABA Tournament at Pete and Mick Haschak Memorial Field in Portage.

The 19-year-old from New Jersey gave up four runs on six hits while striking out six and walking five to earn the win.

Only two of the runs were earned. He also hit two batters.

“I felt good, but was a little rusty,” Tampa said. “I haven’t pitched in a week and a half because of a blister on my finger.

“I got the job done, and we won, that’s all that counts,” he said.

New Brunswick jumped all over Columbus starter Andrew Podolak, scoring four runs in the first inning. Two of the runs came on a bases-loaded single by Pat Sweeney.

New Brunswick led 5-0 before Columbus scored its first two runs in the bottom of the second.

Tadd Sparks grounded out with the bases loaded, and Dustin Reuter singled home another run.

New Brunswick then tacked on two more runs in the fourth inning on a bases-loaded single by Michael MacConnell and one more in the fifth inning on a run-scoring double by Dan Avella.

The team scored its final runs on a two-run, ninth-inning single by Stephen Nappe.

Elijah Yarborough pitched the final three innings, giving up two runs on five walks, allowing no hits and striking out one.

New Brunswick scored 10 runs on 16 hits and made two errors. Columbus scored six runs on six hits.

“We had runners in scoring position all day,” New Brunswick manager Glenn Fredricks said. “You’ve got to tip your cap to their pitcher. He did an outstanding job of never giving in. They kept it close the whole game.”

Podolak struggled early with mechanics, but the team had few options with three other pitchers not making the trip, choosing to remain with their college teams, Columbus manager Jim Chiero said.

“We’re real short on starting pitching,” Chiero said, estimating Podolak made 140 pitches over nine innings.

He said New Brunswick played well and hoped for a rematch.

“We’re hoping we’ll be around for a while yet,” he said.