Tri-Cape tops Berks in Carpenter Cup

All-star games often are messy affairs, given the unfamiliarity of the players, frequent substitutions, and casual atmosphere.

But the Tri-Cape team was open for business Tuesday morning.

Combining solid pitching with timely hitting and strong defense, Tri-Cape rolled to a 6-2 victory over Berks County in the first round of the 26th annual Carpenter Cup baseball tournament at Richie Ashburn Field in FDR Park.

"This is a really good group," said Tri-Cape manager Keith Gorman, the coach at Holy Spirit. "They get along, and they play the right way. They hit behind runners. They hit the ball where it's pitched. They play defense. And our pitchers threw strikes."

Holy Spirit junior A.J. Martinez and Millville junior Andrew Biggs each pitched three scoreless innings as Tri-Cape advanced to face Jersey Shore in the quarterfinals Friday at Coca-Cola Park in Allentown, Pa., home of the Phillies' AAA affiliate, the Lehigh Valley IronPigs.

With a victory there, Tri-Cape would advance to Monday's semifinals at Citizens Bank Park.

"That would be awesome to play there," said Gloucester Catholic junior Joe Brooks, who cracked a two-run single in the third inning.

Highland senior Pierce Phillips, St. Augustine senior Carlo Randazzo, Buena junior Manny Colon, and Pitman senior Dan MacAteer added RBI hits for Tri-Cape.

Tri-Cape also turned two double plays, with Buena junior second baseman Anthony Lopez in the middle of both.

"Our defense was fabulous," said Martinez, who started the game, allowed two hits and struck out one.

Tri-Cape took a 1-0 lead in the second on Phillips' RBI double. The South Jersey team stretched its advantage to 4-0 in the third as Brooks delivered his two-run single, took second on an error, and scored as Randazzo rapped an RBI single.

"It's awesome to play on this team," Brooks said. "It was a total team effort. Our pitchers threw great, and we play defense behind them."

Tri-Cape stretched the lead to 6-0 in the sixth as Colon hit an RBI triple that one-hopped off the fence in left field and MacAteer followed with an RBI single.

"I just liked our approach at the plate," Gorman said. "Guys weren't up there trying to hit three-run home runs. They were taking smart approaches, hitting the ball where it was pitched."

Biggs followed Martinez on the mound and matched him zero for zero. Biggs allowed two hits and struck out three.

"My curveball was my set-up pitch," Biggs said. "My fastball was my get-out pitch."

Berks County scored two unearned runs in the eighth inning, one on an infield error and the other on an RBI single by Oley Valley junior Tim Shores.

Buena senior Sawyer Brown closed the door in the ninth. Fittingly, the game ended on a crisp double play, from Lopez to Atlantic City senior shortstop Brett Uhing to Pennsville senior first baseman Dom Wyshinski.

"Our defense made every play," Biggs said.

Berks County   000000020 - 261

Tri-Cape   01300200x - 691

WP: A.J. Martinez. LP: Scott Merz. 2B: BC-Devin Wenzel; TC-Pierce Phillips. 3B: TC-Manny Colon.