Ciavarella hurls 'Canes to win

Heading into Sunday night's Keystone Senior Babe Ruth League game against the Towamensing Yankees, Franklin Township Hurricanes head Coach Rick Strohl knew to go with pitching ace Dane Ciavarella. However, with the hurler coming off a tough game in their last contest, he was a little unsure of how productive his efforts would be.

Those questions can now subside, as Ciavarella limited the Yankees to three hits throughout the seven innings, and struck out eight batters, on his way to earning the mound win, and more importantly, the team win, 4-1.

"Dane threw well tonight, that's for sure," Strohl admitted later. "He pitched a really tough game in our last game and I was a little concerned. But he stepped up tonight. Our defense also played a really strong game, as well and that helped."

The same can be said for the other side of the field, as the Yanks' starting pitcher Tyler Svetik also had a nice game, striking out seven batters and aiding in shutting down the Hurricanes bats, holding them to three hits, as well.

However, it proved to be a tale of errors, as the hosts committed five in the game, giving way to many of the winners' runs, as Franklin pulled out the 4-1 win.

"Our pitching was there tonight," Towamensing head coach Don Hunter stated. "There were a couple of calls that didn't go our way, but we're not using that as an excuse. Regardless, our defense could have been better tonight."

Two walks, an error and a hit batter yielded the victors' two second-inning runs, which proved to be all that they would need.

In the bottom of the third, Towamensing mounted a small comeback effort. Joey Tyahla hit into a fielder's choice for the second out. He stole second a few pitches later, only to be brought in by the bat of Travis Labyack. Labyack flew a shot to left, proving to be his team's sole RBI, scoring Tyahla. However, Ciavarella struck out the next batter to stifle the effort.

In the top of the fifth, Darren Wanamaker beat out an infield single to start the inning. As Svetik struck out the next batter, Wanamaker stole second and third and Zach Knox earned a RBI with a fielder's choice, as Wanamaker beat the throw at home plate. Two walks ensued and the bases were loaded.

The Yankees picked a bad time for two consecutive errors, as the 'Canes scored another run on one of them for the game's final tally.

In the bottom of the fifth, Jeo Rodriguez belted a nice double to right center, and when Ryan Saylor laced a shot directly at a Franklin fielder, the double play halted what could have been a major momentum changer.

For the game, the pitchers proved to be a big part of the story with Ciavarella and Svetik pulling impressive performances.

At the plate, Franklin earned hits from Sean Green, Wanamaker and Zach Knox.

Meanwhile, Towamensing had the game's only mulitiple-hitter in Labyack with a double, a single and a RBI. Rodriguez had the other hit for the hosts.

FT (8-1-1) will play tonight at Christman Field against Bushkill, while Towamensing (6-9) will wait to host East Stroudsburg on Sunday.

Fr. Twp. 020 020 0 - 4 3 1

Tow. Twp. 001 000 0 - 1 3 5

Ciavarella and Duvigneaud; Svetik, Kersting (6) and Sander, Labyack (6). WP - Ciavarella, LP - Svetik.