The Cinnaminson Reds played for the first time in a week tonight after postponement on Sunday when the Pine Barrens Phantoms came to town.
The Reds picked up an 8-0 win over the Phantoms to move to 3-1 on the young season in the Rancocas Valley League.
Veteran Jim Goodwin got the start on the mound and dominated, pitching six scoreless innings for his second win of the year.
“My changeup and cutter were working well,” Goodwin said. “I wasn’t sharp early on, I was missing with my fastball because my arm angle was a little off. My cutter was able to help me bring it back up and I settled in later.”
Goodwin has not allowed a run in 11 innings pitched this season. Tonight was his first start of the year for the Reds. He has two other relief appearances.
“Being around so long I’m not sweating it too much,” Goodwin said. “A guy gets on first or second I know one pitch can get out of it with a double play.”
Goodwin allowed just four hits and struck out eight en route to the victory. Goodwin has allowed just four hits in his 11 innings pitched and struck out 15.
“He’s (Goodwin) just a reliable pitcher,” manager Frank Sirolli said. “He started out the game, he didn’t have his best stuff, but he got comfortable as the game got deeper.”
The Cinnaminson offense banged out eight runs on eight hits, getting to Pine Barrens starter Ron Krankowski in the bottom of the first for one and second for one run in each frame and five in the bottom of the fifth.
“The offense takes the monkey off the back a little bit,” Goodwin said of the insurance runs. “I don’t have to worry about being as perfect in the sixth inning.”
“I can just go out there, try and find the zone and relax a little bit. Pitching a close game helps you stay sharp and stay focused.”
John Dockins reached on an error to leadoff the bottom of the first, stole second, advanced to third on a throwing error and scored on a sacrifice fly by Kyle Higgins to score the game’s first run.
“It was nice to see the hits tonight,” Sirolli said. “You knew they were coming, but we still have to get a couple guys going.”
It was the only run Goodwin would need, despite struggling through the first three innings. Goodwin had to work out of trouble in the first (two runners stranded), in the second (one runner stranded) and in the third (one runner stranded).
Cinnaminson scored its second run in the bottom of the second on an RBI double from Greg Gilbert.
A five-run fifth inning put the game out of reach. The Reds picked up RBI hits from Frank Sirolli (RBI single) and Dockins (2 RBI single). Gilbert and Joe Sirolli both walked to force in runs.
Tonight was the first start and appearance of the season for Krankowski (0-1). The Phantoms are now 1-1.
“It’s important against him (Krankowski) to swing early because he’s got a few pitches he can get you with towards the end of the at-bat,” Sirolli said.
“That was the mentality of our hitters tonight. Get on him a little bit earlier. Don’t let him get to two strikes where he can throw a couple different pitches to put you away.”
Cinnaminson plays its first road game of the year Thursday, May 26 against Willingboro at 6:15pm at Kennedy Recreation Center Field.
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