Clippers take game one of CACC series with Chargers

Box score

The Clippers hosted the Dominican College Chargers today in game one of the CACC two game series.  The Clippers called upon Matthew Gelormino to take the mound for the game. 

Gelormino came out strong from the start and came out of the first inning unscathed though the Chargers threatened with two runners on base. 

The Clippers struggled at first against the Chargers pitcher.  The bottom of the third saw the Clippers first hit of the game.  With a full count on, Anthony Carnacchio hit a single toward second base and reached first base.  The Clippers couldn't move Carnacchio over into scoring position and the scoreboard remained empty for both teams. 

Three more innings passed as Gelormino continued to pitch well though the Chargers threatened often Gelormino was backed up with his defense.  In the top of the fifth Gelormino walked two batters and each were caught stealing by the Clippers catcher Greg Conway who threw them out at second base to end the inning.  In the top of the sixth the defense was at it again to back up Gelormino as the Chargers loaded the bases up and the infield turned a double play that started with a ground ball to David Perlleshi who threw it to Donnie Roth for the first out of the play.  Roth then immediately threw the ball to Billy O'Connell to grab the third out and keep the Chargers off the board.

Following the double play the Clippers hit the ball some more as Donnie Roth hit a one out double down the left field line off of a one and one count.  With two balls and one strike, John Pliego hit a single up the middle to score Roth and the Clippers were on the board. 

The Chargers answered in the top of the seventh with a run of their own but the Clippers halted them in their tracks. 

TJ Walsh started the bottom of the seventh off with two strikes on him.  With the next pitch he hit a single to right center field to get on base.  A single to left field by Greg Conway moved Walsh to second.  Billy O'Connell then stepped up and laid down a bunt on the first pitch he was given and reached first base with a bunt single to load the bases up.  Anthony Carnacchio then knocked a single to left field to score Walsh and the Clippers were back on top.  Luis Gonzalez hit into a fielder's choice that caused a Chargers error and Conway and O'Connell were able to score giving the Clippers the 4-1 lead. 

Gelormino continued to pitch through the eighth inning as he had the first batter of the inning pop up to Donnie Roth.  Gelormino walked the next batter followed it up with a ground ball to the Clippers shortstop, Roth.  The third out for the bottom of the eigth came with a fly ball heading to right center field and right fielder Luis Gonzalez made a diving, rolling catch to end the inning and kept the Chargers off the boards.

Anthony Pisano came in the top of the ninth to grab the save as the Clippers went on to win 4-1.  TJ Walsh hit 2 for 3 with 1 run scored while Anthony Carnacchio hit 2 for 3 with an RBI.  John Pliego continued his hitting as he went 2 for 4 with an RBI. 

The Clippers will finished their regular season series with the Chargers tomorrow at 3:30pm.