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Ground outs-fly outs: Gagliano 12-6 Batters faced: Gagliano 37. Umpires: HP: Dan Saltzman, FLD: Derek Crabill Weather: 81 degrees, partly cloudyr. Wind: Out to left center 10 MPH T: 2:45 Att: 26. |
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June 6, 2006
Titans Down Cats 2-1
Elgin, IL--In a 51-game season an early June win may not be all that significant. But, after the inconsistent start the Titans have had this year, tonight's game may go a long way towards a successful season.
In a great pitching match-up the Titans held on to beat the Chicago Wildcats of the CSBL 2-1 Tuesday night.
Titans starter Mike Gagliano went the distance surrendering just 1 run while scattering five hits. Gagliano, now 3-0 on the young season has been a shining light on a Titans pitching staff that started the year in disarray.
"Mike has been stellar", said manager Wayne Hegner. "He's really stepped up into the breech and lead the way."
The Titans pitching staff was turned on its head at the beginning of the season with the early loss of veteran mainstay Justin Barr (shoulder) and the defections of Eddie Williams and Mitch Newsome to the American Giants. Coupled with a handful of early signees who opted to play elsewhere has caused Titans management to scramble for arms. Since the beginning of the season, the team has signed starters Eddie Spychalski, Eric Kruise, and Rob Mataragas and relievers Eric Stengele and Andrew Sobruki.
"I think the pick-ups we've made have been good. We're still an arm or two short, but I think we'll fill those holes pretty soon", said Hegner . "Now it's just a matter of getting the guys we've got their innings and into a routine."
Wildcats starter Dave Norkus was dominant through the first five innings not allowing a hit until Gary Bjorklund singled to right with one out in the sixth. Norkus picked Bjorklund off first but a mishandled throw by shortstop Chris Johnson allowed him to slide into second safely for his fifth stolen base of the season. LaGaryne Sears continued his power surge by lacing a triple off a hanging curve ball to the left center gap scoring Bjorklund, Over the last four games Sears has hit .563 with 2 HR and 10 driven in. Ryan Priola's scratch single against a drawn in infield drove home Sears for what turned out to be the winning run.
The Wildcats threatened in the top of the ninth. With one out Jim Johnson singled to left and advanced to second when Sears bobbled the ball. Higgins then flared a ball to right that was caught by a diving Kyle Eick, holding Johnson at second. While Gagliano was in his delivery a ball got lose from the Titans bullpen, which caused him to stop his pitch which was ruled a balk advancing Johnson to third. Mcschaffey was then intentionally walked to get to Chris Johnson who grounded out to Lorenzo Gallaga ending the game.
The Titans will take on the Fox Valley Angels on Wednesday night at Trout Park in Elgin.