Weevils wallop Cats

BY RONNIE GALLAGHER
SALISBURY POST

By that time, their team had nine hits and a 6-0 lead against the Charleston (W.Va.)Alley Cats.

In past seasons, nine hits was a week’s worth of Boll Weevil offense. But after finishing off an impressive 12-2 victory, fans could sense something different about this year’s edition:

• The team has youthful exuberance. Brian Hitchcox is leading the league in hitting and did nothing to hurt his standing by going 3-for-5, while batting — get this — ninth in the order. Catcher Russ Jacobson hit his second towering homer in two nights. Leadoff man James Sitzman scored three runs. Marlon Byrd had two hits.

“We have nice, young players who are hungry,” said manager Greg Legg.

• The team has proven veterans in Eric Schreimann and Nate Espy. They combined for six hits, including a homer by Schreimann and two doubles by Espy. They accounted for six RBIs.

“Nate and Schreimann fit in perfectly,” Legg said. “They know what the organization wants, they can help police the clubhouse — and they can play.”

• Then, there’s the pitching.

Ken Westmoreland, the Opening Day loser, bounced back with a vengeance. He handcuffed the Alley Cats, holding them hitless for 61

“That’s the Westmoreland I’ve seen throughout his career,” Legg smiled.

It all adds up to a team on a five-game winning streak since the opener and it’s a streak that doesn’t seem to be anywhere near ending.

“It’s great to come to the ballpark and win everyday,” said Hitchcox, who was hitting a cool .556 coming in. “You can’t beat that.”

And no one can beat the Boll Weevils the way they played Tuesday night. Everything clicked.

With two outs in the first, Espy’s high fly to right was botched by three Alley Cats, who stumbled all over themselves trying to get to the ball. It allowed Sitzman to score. When Jorge Padilla doubled home Espy, it was 2-0.

Piedmont batted around in the second. Hitchcox, Sitzman, Julio Collazo and Byrd had consecutive RBI hits off Alley Cat starter Ryan Douglas. The Weevils finally chased him in the third when Jacobson led off with a long homer to left.

After going 1-for-his-first-11, Jacobson now has two clouts in front of the home folks.

“At least, they’ll remember these hits,” he smiled.

Schreimann knocked in Espy for an 8-0 lead in the fourth and then smashed his first homer of the season, a two-run shot, in the sixth.

“It felt good coming off the bat,” he said.

With all the offensive fireworks, Westmoreland’s efforts went virtually unnoticed.

“He had a sharper curve ball and mixed in his slider,” said Legg. “I think he could have won on Opening Day.”

That 11-3 loss last week seems like an eternity ago. After last night, it is all but forgotten.

“The only difference was mental,” said Westmoreland.“Tonight, I was pitching to win instead of being tentative and pitching not to lose. But I’m a slow starter anyway.”

The only suspense left was placed on Legg. How long would he leave Westmoreland in, considering there was a pitch-count of 75?

“I knew they’d let me go as long as I had the no-hitter,” Westmoreland said.

Jacob Baker ended his night with a one-out double in the seventh. Westmoreland finished the frame and handed the ball over to Franklin Perez. He left with 13 ground-ball outs and a 12-0 lead.

“The guys played great defense behind me and we’re hitting the ball,” Westmoreland said. “We’ve been playing well in all phases.”

Especially at the plate, where the Weevils finished with 17 hits. They have a whopping 72 base knocks in their last five games.

“It’s like a virus,” said Schreimann. “Once it starts, it just keeps going.”

Legg’s perpetual smile told the story. His job during the win streak is basically waving guys around third.

“More than anything, I’m happy with the effort,” he said. “The kids are busting their butts. We’re just playing good baseball right now. It should be a fun year.”

Especially for the fans, once they get used to all this hitting.

n

NOTES: In their last five games, the Alley Cats (1-5) have been outscored 31-6. ... SAL president John Henry Moss was in attendance. ... Going into last night, Piedmont led the league in hitting (.363) and average attendance (3,117). ... Juan Richardson and Collozo made sparkling plays at third and short. ... Frank Brooks (1-0, 1.50) will pitch tonight in the 6:35 start.