American Pitching Solid In 5-0 Win Over Wellington

Two days after fearing their ace might be lost for the season, the American Patriots pitching staff responded in fine fashion Wednesday night, spearheading a 5-0 victory over Wellington at Flanagan in each team’s second game of the HSBN Preseason Challenge.

Starter Willy Penelas allowed only two hits over three innings before making way for Sammy Candoza, who blanked the Wolverines for two innings of his own. The victory was finished off by Norberto Hernandez and Andy Figueroa.

“Our big guy went down on Monday, and everyone got nervous,” Manager Ricky Gutierrez said. “We got things done today. Our pitching staff did well, they threw strikes and kept the ball in play.”

Luckily for Gutierrez and his team, the result of an MRI revealed just a strained muscle in Rodney Williams’ forearm. Williams likely will miss only one to two weeks of action.

With that good news in the back of their minds, the Patriots got off to a good start against the Wolverines, putting up three runs off starter Spencer Stockton in the top of the first courtesy of a walk, two hits, an error and a sacrifice fly.

Those runs gave Penelas the breathing room he needed to work on his repertoire effectively. The righty didn’t strike anyone out and walked a couple, but he put his curve ball to full use, keeping the Wellington hitters guessing and forcing them into bad swings.

The difference remained at three until the fifth inning, when top two hitters Edison Cabrera and Eric Gonzalez each scored for the second time in the game. The two combined for five stolen bases and four runs on the night.

First baseman Kendrick Gutierrez finished with a pair of RBI, while Romy Gonzalez and Kevin Peraza drove in a run each.

Meanwhile, the only real bright spot for the Wolverines was sophomore Tyler Dillian, who finished 3-for-3.

“I thought we were going to be an average hitting team, but right now we’re a poor offensive team,” Wolverines Manager Scott Riddle said. “Our approach wasn’t there tonight. We just came out flat and unfocused. With that said, I still think we have a chance to be a very good baseball team. We just have to find nine guys who are willing to make adjustments, put the ball in play and work hard.”

As for Gutierrez, he was understandably a little more positive, especially about the great performance by the top of his lineup.

“Those guys have to get on for our 3-4-5 hitters,” Gutierrez said. “If they get on base, they can run, and lots of things can happen. I think we’ll be OK this season. It’s going to be fun. We have a good group.”

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