The Cinnaminson Reds hosted the Pine Barrens Phantoms on Wednesday night and came away with a 5-1 win, their fifth in a row and seventh overall (7-1).
The win over Pine Barrens was the second in as many nights for the Reds, who took down Vincentown 3-2 on Tuesday night.
“The last two nights we got pitching, timely hitting, and really good defense,” manager Frank Sirolli said. “We’re just making less mistakes than the other team right now. That’s what’s helping us win games right now. We are playing well in all three facets.”
Troy Hunter was handed the ball for the Reds Wednesday and he tossed a complete game for the win, his first in the Rancocas Valley league.
Tonight was Hunter’s fourth appearance of the year and second start. He allowed one run on five hits. He struck out five.
“He’s getting better every time out there. A little chillier tonight,” Sirolli said. “We had some long innings on offense and he went back out there rusty, but for the most part he was around the plate all night. He pitched to contact and got some K’s too. He did a nice job pitching ahead.”
Cinnaminson started the scoring in the bottom of the second when right fielder Mike Wasco led off the inning with a walk and then scored on a double from first baseman Cody MacNair with one out to give the Reds a 1-0 lead.
The Reds put the game away in the bottom of the third with three runs to extend their lead to 4-0.
Shortstop John Dockins led off with a single, catcher Bill Dove reached base on a fielder’s choice and proceeded to steal second and third.
Wasco walked and then manager/center fielder Frank Sirolli hit a two-run double.
Sirolli then scored on an error by the Pine Barrens third baseman.
“The guys are starting to loosen up a little bit,” Sirolli said. “Early in the year guys are trying to go 5-for-4, it’s just not possible. Once they get more at-bats under their belt and they know more are coming, it makes life easier for all the hitters.”
Pine Barrens scored their lone run of the game in the top of the fourth. A leadoff walk came around to score on a double to make it a 4-1 game.
The Reds scored their fifth and final run of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning. Left fielder Joe Sirolli hit a one-out single, stole second, and came around to score on an RBI single from Dove.
The Phantoms went down 1, 2, 3 in the sixth, but threatened in the seventh against Hunter, who stranded two runners in scoring position to end the game.
The Reds are home again on Sunday, June 12 at 7pm against Delran at Memorial Park.
“They are a young team, so they’re real scrappy,” Sirolli said. “They’ve got some good, young arms. They’re not going to be an easy team to play. They’re hungry to win so we gotta be ready, just like every other game.”
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