Published: May 20, 2008 12:06 am      

Laurel Valley falters

WINGATE — The wind swept across Doc Etters Field, knocking over the protective screen in front of the pitcher’s mound as the Bald Eagle Area players completed batting practice.

It was the first sign of the afternoon that the elements were not to be ignored.

Led by pitcher Justin Koleno, Bald Eagle conquered both the gusting wind and Laurel Valley, opening the District 6 Class AA playoffs with a commanding 11-2 win.

The Eagles, the district’s top seed, (14-6-1) move on to host Richland (15-5) at 4 p.m. Thursday in the semifinals.

With the breeze at their backs, Joe Pillot and A.J. Robinson blasted back-to-back home runs during the Eagles’ four-run first inning to start a big offensive day for BEA, while Koleno adjusted to the wind coming in his direction and scattered four hits.

“The wind definitely affected the pitches,” said Koleno, who improved to 7-0. “It was tough to control the fastball. You got used to it as the game went on.”

With the headwind pushing his high fastballs even higher, Koleno walked seven Rams. But he also struck out 10 Rams.

Laurel Valley starter Sean Lenhart and reliever Matt Allen had a harder time against the BEA lineup, particularly the first five hitters. John Schall was 3-for-4 out of the leadoff spot, No. 5 hitter Derek Noll had four RBIs and Pillot was 3-for-3 with four runs scored and a triple short of the cycle.

Laurel Valley (12-6), which scored a first-inning run on a throwing error, cut the lead to 4-2 in the top of the third thanks to two walks, Caleb Karasack’s double and Tyler Ulery’s RBI ground-out.

Koleno allowed just three base runners in the final three innings.

“We haven’t been shut down like that all year,” said McLaughlin, whose team traveled 118 miles by bus for the game. “He had the good curveball, and he didn’t have to throw it for a strike – we chased some of them in the dirt.”