THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, August 18, 1996 TAG: 9608180092
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B2 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
SOURCE: BY PAUL SOUTH, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MANTEO LENGTH: 54 lines
Alacosta, Calif., pitcher Corrigan Willis allowed only five hits and struck out eight to lead the Tri-Valley Tigers to a 5-1 opening-round victory over Nederland, Texas, in the first game of the 1996 Babe Ruth 16-18 World Series.
Willis got help from three Nederland errors. The Tigers scored two runs in the third inning, two in the fourth and one in the fifth on just three hits.
``We didn't really know anything about the other team,'' Willis said. ``I just wanted to work the ball in and out and throw my best stuff.''
Willis helped his own cause in the third inning. With one out, Rich Torres singled. Matt Richardson came on to pinch-run. Next, Willis doubled off the fence to move Richardson to third. Third baseman David Jensen then walked to load the bases.
The next hitter, Brian Candelario hit a ground ball to shortstop. Nederland's Ryan LeVergne flipped to second for the force. But a wild throw by Jeremy Leidensdorf allowed Richardson and Willis to score, and the Tigers led 2-0.
Nederland got on the board in the top of the fourth. Wesley Cooksey doubled to lead off the inning, followed by a walk by Brock Richardson.
Next Joey Babineaux grounded out, and Willis fanned Jeremy Seymour. But Craig Darder doubled to drive home Cooksey.
With runners on second and third, Willis got Slade Watts on a called third strike to end Nederland's only real threat.
``I got a little tired in the fourth inning,'' Willis said. ``I had batted in the last inning, and had done a lot of running. I'm not used to the heat and humidity. Plus, the umpire wasn't giving me the low strike, so the ball was up a little bit.''
Willis has been hampered by a knee injury throughout most of the season. But except for the trouble in the fourth, Willis worked smoothly.
Willis credited catcher Chris Patrick for a solid game behind the plate.
``He really called a good game,'' Willis said. ``He worked the target in and out, and gave me a good target.''
Alacosta broke the game open with a two-out rally in the fourth. Blake DiPietro walked, and Garrett Dutra reached on an error by Nederland's Brian Sanches. Torres struck again with a single to drive in a run.
Willis walked to load the bases. Jensen also walked to score Dutra.
The Tigers got another gift in the fifth. With one out, Steve Ahers walked, then stole second. With Danny Harkness at the plate, Nederland reliever Joel Bijeaux balked to move Ahers to third. Then Ahers scored on a wild pitch.
Alacosta Manager Joe DeProspero said that while he was happy with the win, he was concerned about the lack of hitting.
``We didn't hit as well as we have all season,'' DeProspero said. ``but this is a hard-working team. We seem to play best with two outs. People think if we get two outs on us, they've got us. But this team doesn't quit.''
Nederland, Texas 002 210 X - 1 6 3
Sanches, Bijeaux (4), Cooksey (5) and Seymour, Willis and Patrick
W- Willis (1-0) L- Sanches (0-1)
HR- None 3B- None 2B- Nederland: Watts, Cooksey, Darder. Alacosta: Willis. by CNB