Press-Republican
PLATTSBURGH — The Meron's Expos scored two runs in the bottom of the third inning Wednesday night and held on the rest of the way for a 4-3 victory over the Clinton County Mariners American Legion baseball team at Lefty Wilson Field.
It marked the second win for the Expos (10-3 overall) over the Mariners (0-2) in a week's time.
"We played well," said Mariners head coach John Flynn. "We have tests going on in school right now and other things going on as well. So, we were a little shorthanded tonight.
"We had only 10 players available. We used wooden bats to get ready for the next two tournaments we're playing in. We hit the ball okay and made the plays in the field."
Winning pitcher Tyler Parker allowed three runs in going the first four innings. Mike Bergman pitched a scoreless fifth and Billy Davis the final two scoreless innings for the save.
Losing pitcher Cody Weaver went the first three innings and allowed four runs. Matt Seymour then held the Expos off the board in the last three, striking out four.
"Both pitchers threw well and it was good for them to get some innings in against a good team," Flynn said.
Luke Weaver, Ben Weightman and Josh Powers had the lone hits for the Mariners, with Weightman also getting a sacriflce fly.
Seven players had a hit apiece for the Expos, with Nick Lamica the lone player to get an extra-base hit, a double.
Meron's fell behind, 2-0, in the first inning, but scored two in the bottom half of the inning when Justin Mahan singled, Lamica doubled, Pat Shaughnessy hit a sacrifice fly and Andy Gooch singled in a run.
After Clinton County regained the lead with a run in the third, Meron's tallied two for a 4-3 advantage. Gooch had a RBI ground out in the inning and Bergman walked with the bases-loaded to force in the game-winner.
The Mariners will host the Mehan/Turner Memorial Wooden Bat Tournament Saturday and Sunday, while the Expos will return to Champlain Valley Baseball League play against the Airborne Speedway/Hockey Plus Padres in Saranac on Sunday.
