WEIRTON - It's apparently some type of mental edge Steubenville Post 33 holds over Weirton Post 10. Steubenville defeated Weirton 10-4 Thursday at Edwin J. Bowman Field.
"For some reason Steubenville beats us every time," Weirton head coach Billy Magnone said.
"We just didn't come to play today. That's taking absolutely nothing away from their effort - they played a good game. They just have our number."
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GRABBING THE WIN ON THE HILL — Post 33 pitcher Jimmy Panella pitched six strong innings in Thursday’s 10-4 victory over Weirton Post 10 at Bowman Field. Panella struck out three and walked two as Post 33 raised its record to 25-17. He also had three singles. Steubenville visits Coshocton for a nine-inning game on Saturday. The District 10 Tournament begins Monday with Steubenville taking on Richmond at 5 p.m. at Vaccaro Field.
-- Mike Mathison
Post 33 was able to rattle off six runs before Post 10 could answer in the fifth frame.
Steubenville's six-run advantage began in the second inning. Steven Mihalyo and Bryan Pierro both earned free passes. A bloop single by John Linn over Weirton's second baseman gave Steubenville a 1-0 lead.
The second run came courtesy of a strikeout. Yes, a strikeout. Kyle Laukert whiffed, but the ball was in the dirt. He ran to first where Weirton was then able to get the force out. Bryan Pierro displayed heady base running which allowed him to scamper past home plate before the relay throw made its way back.
JoJo Pierro smacked a double down the third base line, which allowed Linn to score. Steubenville's lead was 3-0.
Two more runs were added the following inning when an error in the outfield allowed Brenton Colabella to reach first base. Aleks Porreca and Steve Mihalyo followed with singles to score Colabella and Porreca.
Post 33 led 5-0. It's all the team would need due to a solid pitching performance from Jimmy Panella. Panella had a two-hitter through four innings before Weirton finally touched him up a bit.
"Jimmy put in some good work today," Stacy said. "He's pitched very well. He's been a big part of our success on the mound."
Weirton's runs all came in the final three innings.
Matt Cessna, Mitch Viakley and Chris Perna each singled to start the fifth inning. A Steve Barr single drove Post 10's first run past the plate.
A pair of doubles by Cody Harmon and Cessna, along with an error, allowed two more runs to score in the sixth inning.
"We did hit the ball late in the game," Magnone added. "That's at least one positive we can take from this game."
Unfortunately, Steubenville already hung another crooked inning on the scoreboard at the top of the sixth. Post 33 scored four in the frame courtesy of a Panella single and doubles from Alex Young, Justin Corsi and Mihalyo. Singles from Bryan Pierro and Laukert rounded out the inning.
"We swung the bat OK today," Stacy said. "We're just trying to get our pitching set for (next week's) tournament.
"This late in the season; you are what you are. There are always things you'd like to improve upon, but you're always working to get better. If you don't, then it's not meant to be."
Before both teams face tournament play, they're in action this weekend. Weirton travels to Toronto today, while Steubenville goes to Coshocton for a nine-inning affair Saturday. Post 33's game Sunday against Toronto has been canceled.
Steubenville 10, Weirton 4
Steubenville 032 104 0 10 16 1
Weirton 000 012 1 4 10 2
STEUBENVILLE (25-17): Panella (WP, 3K, 2BB); Malesky (1IP) and Laukert. J.Pierro 3B, 2B, RBI; Panella 3-1B, RBI; Young 2B; Colabella 1B, RBI; Porreca 1B, Corsi 2B, RBI; Mihalyo 2B, 1B, RBI; B.Pierro 1B; Murphy 1B; Linn 1B, RBI; DiCarlantonio RBI; Laukert 2-1B.
WEIRTON (17-10): Fuscardo (LP, 4K, 4BB); Pellen (2.3IP) and Harmon, Pine (7). Barr 2-1B, RBI; Russell 1B; Shaw 2B, RBI; Harmon 2B; Cessna 2B, 1B; Viakley 1B; Perna 1B; Smith 1B.
