THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 18, 1996 TAG: 9608180089
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: 46 lines
Catcher Johnny Craig drove a 3-2 pitch into centerfield in the bottom of the eighth to bring in shortstop Mike Krueger and give Hammond, Ind., a 1-0 win over Omaha, Neb., in Saturday's second game of the Babe Ruth World Series.
Hammond advances to face first-game winner Alacosta, Calif., at 7 p.m. Monday.
Craig's single preserved a one-hit shutout for teammate Tony Klaja. Klaja worked the full eight innings, striking out three.
Klaja won a pitcher's duel with Omaha's Brian Zaversnik. Zaversnik allowed only five hits in a complete game effort.
``This was a classic baseball game, with pitching and defense,'' said Hammond Manager Dave Sutkowski. ``We preach to our kids that pitching, defense and getting the big hit at the right time wins games. That's what happened tonight.''
Craig managed to hit a Zaversnik curveball with runners on first and second and one out.
``I just kept my hands back and got around on it,'' Craig said. ``He had a good curve.''
Hammond's run came after Krueger led off the inning with a walk. Then, leftfielder J.J. Swiatkowski hit a dribbler up the line. Zaversnik fielded the ball, but no one covered first.
Miguel Ramirez struck out. Then came Craig's heroics.
Klaja managed to work his way out of jams in the first, seventh and eighth innings.
With runners on first and second in the eighth and two outs, Klaja got Omaha's Eric Brown to hit into a force play at second, ending the threat.
``I just kept throwing strikes, and we had great defense to back me up,'' Klaja said. ``I didn't get tired.''
Craig gave Klaja credit for the win.
``The great thing about Tony is his concentration,'' Craig said. ``He just bears down and throws hard when he has to.''
The Hammond victory overshadowed a great effort by Omaha's Zaversnik, who killed several Hammond rallies, including a bases-loaded situation in the third. Zaversnik struck out nine, allowing only five hits in the hard-luck loss.
Omaha 000 000 00 - 0 1 1
Hammond 000 000 01 - 1 5 0
Omaha, Neb.: Zaversnik and Kankovsky; Hammond, Ind.: Klaja and Craig
2B Hammond (1): Eric Schultz by CNB