Albion blanks Barker to share N-O lead

By Mike Wertman, Sports Writer Posted 20 April 2016 at 12:00 am

Photos by Cheryl Wertman – Albion shortstop Jaquess Harrison makes a diving catch for an out during the Purple Eagles key win over visiting Barker this afternoon.

Gaining a share of first place, Albion blanked visiting Barker 4-0 this afternoon in a key Niagara-Orleans League baseball game.

Albion and Barker are now deadlocked for the N-O lead at 4-1 just ahead of 3-1 Roy-Hart.

Evan Pappalardo went the distance on the mound for Albion hurling a 3 hit shutout with 12 strikeouts. He also helped himself defensively by triggering a fifth inning double play that also included shortstop Jaquess Harrison and first baseman Bryce Pritchard.

Pappalardo also had a big day at the plate banging out 3 hits and driving in a pair of runs.

Pritchard also had a pair of hits and Randy Eblacker a run producing triple for the Purple Eagles.

Albion scored the only run it needed as it turned out in the second inning on a sacrifice fly by Vincent Zona. A double by Pappalardo followed by singles by Kyle Smith and Liam Ward set up the opportunity.

Evan Pappalardo delivers a pitch for Albion.

The Purple Eagles quickly made it 3-0 in the third inning by scoring twice with two out as Eblacker tripled in one run and Pappalardo singled in the other.

Pappalardo also singled in Albion’s final run in the fifth frame as a double by Pritchard set up the threat.

Brad Wilson had 2 hits for Barker including a triple in the first inning. However, he was left stranded as Pappalardo registered a key strikeout to end the threat.

The Raiders also got two runners aboard in both the third and fourth innings but both times Pappalardo got out of trouble with an inning ending strikeout.

Barker also got two runners on base in the sixth but the Albion defense came up big to stop the threat as Harrison made a diving catch at shortstop for the final out.

Albion next visits Akron and Barker hosts CSAT on Friday.