By TIM IRVING
“Connor was outstanding, we needed that kind of performance.”
It was hard for Churchville-Chili baseball coach Guy Puglia or anyone else not to be impressed with Saints junior Connor O’Mealia’s outing Monday. He tossed a two-hitter as the Saints beat Spencerport 11-1.
O’Mealia hit one batter, walked two and struck out five in six innings of work.
“My fastball was working and my curve ball in the beginning, but it was my fastball, kept hitting my spots,” said O’Mealia.
Run support came right away in the top of the first. A.M. LeFrois drew a lead-off walk and Shane Pray doubled him home. Zack Miner drove in Pray on a bunt single. With runners on the corners, Miner gave himself up on a double steal, allowing Cooper Romich to score and Churchville led 3-0.
O’Melia was perfect until hitting Frank Grad with a pitch in the fourth.
LeFrois added more run support in the next half with a two-run homer to left for a 5-0 lead.
The Rangers, who beat Brighton on Saturday with 15-run rally, threatened in the bottom of the fifth. Andrew Simoncelli reached on a fielder’s choice, moved to second on an error, third on a wild pitch and scored on a fielder’s choice by Lou Bivone but the Rangers left the bases loaded.
In the top of the seventh, the Saints tacked on six runs, Pray and Romich each with RBI doubles, as Churchville sent 11 men to the plate.
Romich, the catcher is just a sophomore but he’s already taking on a leadership role.
“He’s really the glue to this team, he keeps them together and he’s a smart kid. He’s got a bright future, he’s got a chance to do some things,” said Puglia.
By not needing to use him in relief, the Saints (5-6) will be able to use their ace, Miner, on Wednesday when the same two teams play on Senior Day at Churchville.
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