Even fences can't corral Blazers in rout of Gaels

March 29, 2008|By LARRY YANOS

Jordan Thurber smacked two home runs and drove in seven runs and Corey Morgan added two homers Friday, to power Clear Spring to a 14-4 win over host St. Maria Goretti.

The game was halted in the sixth inning by the 10-run rule.

The Blazers (2-0) pounded out 13 hits - including five home runs - to win their second straight game. They opened the season Wednesday with a 7-3 victory over Hancock.

"The bats came alive and that was good to see this early in the season," Clear Spring coach Mark Shives said. "As far as Thurber is concerned, with the two homers and the seven RBIs, we expect good things from him - he's one of the finest hitters in the area."

Clear Spring quickly jumped on Goretti starter J.J. O'Neill for four runs in the first inning to hold the upper hand the entire way.

O'Neill got himself in trouble by walking leadoff batter Josh Green before Josh Kehr reached base on an error.

Thurber promptly smashed a three-run homer over the fence in center field and - two batters later - Corey Morgan unloaded a solo shot over the right-field fence.

It was 7-2 after four innings before Clear Spring put things out of reach with a six-run uprising in the fifth frame off Goretti reliever Nic Martin.

Morgan greeted Martin with his second home run off the first pitch. Two walks and a single followed to load the bases for Thurber, who smacked a grand slam to end a very productive afternoon.

"It's our fifth game in seven days and it has taken a toll on the pitching staff," Goretti coach John Bowen said. "We battled ... We'll be all right."

Pinch-hitter Bret Turner added Clear Spring's fifth home run while John Kehr and Josh Constable combined pitching duties.

"We planned to use both pitchers," Shives said. "Kehr gave us four strong innings and Constable got some work in."

Kyle Crist and Brandon Glazer led Clear Spring's balanced attack with three hits each while Morgan and Josh Kehr added two hits apiece.

John Bowen and Donoghue collected two hits each for Goretti (1-4), while O'Neill drove in two runs.

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