Quintana too much for Titans in game one of semi-finals.
TORRINGTON: Two pitchers threw tremendously during their time on the mound during the Torrington Titans and Martha’s Vineyard Sharks semi-final, a best of three series with the winner moving on to play for the FCBL title later this week.
Both threw almost the identical number of pitches, one 96, the other 97.
Trouble was, the one that threw but 96, Matt Quintana of the Sharks, was able to stretch his effort eight and a third innings while the other, Jose Rondon of the Titans, lasted only six very dominant frames.
The Sharks got to the Titans bullpen for three runs in the top of the seventh and held on for a 3-1 game one win.
The series now moves to Martha’s Vineyard on Monday and Tuesday if necessary. Good news for Torrington, Quintana won’t be on the hill either of those.
Titans fans should remember the slender right hander from Siena College, he appeared in seven games for them in 2013, posted a 2-1 record with a 2.25 ERA. In 28 innings, he struck out 31.
He was good, this year he has been nothing short of exceptional.
The West Simsbury native posted a 6-1 record that came with a stingy 1.29 ERA with 65 K’s in 56 innings.
His strikeout mark led the FCBL, he walked only six, yes six in those 56 innings, a remarkable number.
On Sunday night, he allowed just two hits working into the ninth, a first inning single to Langston Calhoun and a home run to Jack St Clair leading off the ninth, ending his night.
Rondon was nearly as good, allowing just three hits, a walk while registering eight strikeouts before hitting 97 pitches after six innings.
In his five starts since joining the team on July 12, Rondon has posted a 1-1 mark with a 1.54 ERA. He has deserved better in his last two starts for certain.
In his last start, a 7-6 loss to Worcester, the Limestone College junior gave his team seven innings of one hit ball before turning it over to the pen.
Against Wachusett in the start before that, he gave up two runs in a six inning, complete game that the Titans lost 2-1.
The Middletown, New York native, who travels to Torrington from upstate New York, has gotten himself noticed by local scouts during his time here.
Pitching is the name of the game at this stage of the season. On Sunday, the Sharks got just a little more from theirs.
Game two will be played on the Island Monday night at 7:05 with game three Tuesday if needed.