Pittsfield Outlasts Taconic in 11 Innings

PITTSFIELD, Mass. – Cam Zerbato picked the perfect time to get his first hit of the afternoon.

 

After going 0-for-5 in his first five at-bats, the Generals’ senior hit a line drive with one out in the top of the 11th inning Thursday to drive in Morrie Fried as Pittsfield earned an 8-7 win over Taconic.

 

The winning rally started when Fried reached on an infield single to lead off the inning.

 

A groundout by Jack Reed moved Fried into scoring position, and he went to third on Jackson Almeida’s single.

 

Zerbato then followed, driving a 2-0 pitch to bring in the go-ahead run.

 

Taconic reliever Quentin Christopher got the next two batters to keep it a one-run game and give his team a last chance.

 

But Pittsfield’s Simon Mele retired the side in order on three strikeouts to secure the Round 1 in the city rivalry for the Generals.

 

“It was just a good, solid team win,” Pittsfield coach Drew Pearce said. “We kept on fighting all day against a heck of a ballclub right there. Taconic’s a well coached team.

 

“And any time you have a rivalry, it’s gonna be a tough one, no matter what.”

 

Fried led a 15-hit attack for Pittsfield, going 4-for-4 with a home run and a double. He also scored four times.

 

Mele went 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles, and Jason Codey had an RBI triple.

 

Pittsfield took a solid lead in the top of the third, when it scored five times to go ahead, 6-2.

 

Almeida, Codey, Mele and Brenden Socie each drove in a run during the rally.

 

It was 7-3 going to the bottom of the fourth, but Taconic chipped away with two in the fourth and two in the sixth to tie it.

 

In the fourth, Evan Roccabruna singled with runners on second and third to make it 7-5.

 

In the sixth, Gavin O’Donnell doubled to drive in Chase Wendling and Roccabruna to tie it.

 

Each team had a chance to go ahead before it got to the seventh, but the teams’ relievers were up to the challenge.

 

In the bottom of the seventh, Taconic had runners at second and third when Cam Hillard got the final out on a fly ball to Fried in right.

 

Pittsfield put a runner on in the top of the eighth with one out, but Christopher got the next two hitters on fly balls.

 

Christopher ended up the hard luck loser after allowing just one run in seven innings of work in relief of Taconic starter Connor Paronto. The pair combined to strike out 12 and walk four.

 

Taconic’s offense was led by Ed Ferris, who was 2-for-3 with two home runs and three RBIs.

 

Pittsfield used three pitchers: Matthew Burega, Hillard and Mele. They also struck out 12. Mele got the win with 3 and two-thirds innings of work.

 

Despite the disappointing loss, the Thunder came away ready to turn the page.

 

“It’s good to know that we have a good team,” Paronto said. “We put in a lot of practice. We put in a lot of work. And we’re excited to see what the season brings.”

 

Taconic (4-4) goes to East Longmeadow on Friday.

 

The Generals (8-1) are home against Wahconah on Friday.