Release Date: 7/1/05

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: PAIR OF ONE-RUN GAMES IN DAY TWO OF JOEL STEPHENS TOURNAMENT – CORNING’S NATE MATUSICK OUTDUALS BRADFORD’S KYLE STICKER IN 2-1 THRILLER – ELMIRA HEIGHTS LAST INNING COMEBACK FALLS JUST SHORT IN 8-7 SETBACK TO CONNEAUT (0H)

MANSFIELD – A pair of one run games highlighted the second day of action at the Joel Stephens Invitational Tournament Friday evening.

Corning’s Nate Matusick out dualed Bradford’s Kyle Sickler in a 2-1 win at Shaute Field while Elmira Heights five runs in the top of the seventh inning fell just one short in a 8-7 loss to Conneaut (OH) at Williamson High School.

Matusick and Sickler put on a pitching clinic at Shaute Field with the winning Matusick giving up six hits while striking out eight with no walks. Sickler was equally as impressive limiting Corning to just four hits while striking out 11 batters with no walks.

Corning scored the games first run in the bottom of the first inning when Ben Geist singled and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Tommy Hill. Corning added another run in the third inning when Nate Matusick singled with two outs and scored on a triple by Geist.

Bradford got on the board in the top of the fourth when Scott Carter singled and moved to second on a error before scoring on a single by Preston Hitchcock. Bradford threatened in the fifth when Brett Krause doubled with one out but was stranded on third, and again in the sixth when Jamie Philipa led off with a single but was also stranded on third.

Geist had three of Corning’s hits including a triple and RBI. Ramy Ragab was 2-3 for Bradford.
At Williamson High School, Conneaut led 8-2 going into top of the seventh inning, keyed by a two run double by Derek Burleson and RBI single by Andrew Carter in the sixth, before exploding for five runs including two on a double by Chris Petrillose. Elmira Heights had a runner at second before Conneault got the final out.

Dave Smith and Shaun Merrill each had two hits for Elmira Heights while Andrew Carter led Conneault with two hits and three RBI’s.
The tournament kicks into high gear on Saturday with 11 games starting at 9 am. Opening ceremonies, including a parade of teams, starts at 2 p.m. at Shaute Field.