Woodruff Whiffs 11 in 4-2 Chariho Win Over Coventry

Chariho pitcher Ed Woodruff neutralized Coventry bats by scattering six hits and striking out 11 in a 4-2 complete-game win in Connie Mack League play in Richmond on Wednesday night.

In four of the innings Woodruff whiffed at least two batters, and struck out the side in the second and sixth innings.  

Coventry made a last-gasp chance to tie or go ahead in the top of the seventh when Jake Riccitelli reached on an error followed by walks to Andrew Donilon and Vincent Zanella to load the bases. But Woodruff bore down to get a short fly to right and a foul popout to catcher Dan Rathbone to strand all three runners and end the contest.

Coventry scored its only runs in the third inning when Blake Rapecis reached first on a one-out infield single and then stole second base. Justin Amalfitano walked before Jake Riccitelli slapped a double into the gap in right field to drive in both runners for a 2-1 lead.

In the decisive and long third inning, a combination of three walks, a crucial error and just two hits- both singles- off starter Aaron Guenet, opened it up for the hosts to produce all runs they would need. Nick Pittoli walked, but an attempt to catch him off first went into right field and he advanced to third. A fielder’s choice tied the game and a Joe Edgar single put them ahead for good, 3-2.

Chariho also scored an unearned run off Rapecis, pitching in relief, in the fourth.  A seeing-eye infield single by Pittoli and a walk was followed by an error at shortstop and Pittoli easily scored.

Coventry remains in second place in the Cooney (South) Division at 5-3, a game behind league-leader Slocum of North Kingstown (6-2). Chariho, which played with the minimum of nine players, moved into fourth place to even its record at 4-4.

“He was getting ahead in counts and was very consistent,” said Chariho head coach Dave Cunningham of Woodruff. “He did a good job of throwing strikes and when they did put the ball in play we did a great job of fielding behind him. Fortunately we scored a few runs early. It was a great team effort.”

“We had a couple of mistakes in the field and unraveled a bit and that cost us the game,“ said Coventry head coach Jack Flynn. “But hats off to him (Woodruff). He just had us and kept us down and we didn’t execute as well.”

Download the movie