Argus Article - 8/14

All-Stars shut out Winter Park in World Series

By Ken Jackson
SPECIAL TO ANG NEWSPAPERS

KISSIMEE, Fla. -- The Union City American All-Stars opened the Senior League World Series in the same manner they rolled through district and regional foes -- dominating.

After surrendering just one run in district and regional play, Union City -- representing USA West -- capitalized on three errors and eight walks issued by local District 3 winner Winter Park (Fla.) and rolled to a 6-0 victory Sunday night at Osceola County Stadium.

The win places Union City in the winners bracket, where it will face Walley, British Columbia, tonight at 4:30 (PDT). Ryan Lew, who has given up just three earned runs in 40 postseason innings, gets the start against the Canadians.

Pitcher J.R. Raymond got Union City into the flow of the tournament with five solid innings Sunday, striking out four while surrendering just four hits.

"Those guys (Winter Park) deserve credit, they gave us a good game," Raymond said. "I had some arm problems in the beginning but I was able to get my slider going. Having a good, tight game to open up helps."

Manager Steve Orias said the win was just what his team needed to shake those World Series jitters.

"We're all a little nervous," he said. "But getting that first run makes that go away, and getting that first win makes it even better."

Union City got those first runs when second baseman Noel Berumen hit a hot grounder with the bases loaded that Winter Park first baseman Corey Whiting couldn't handle. Brian Amyx and Art Boado scored on the play.

UCA added two more in the third on Boado's RBI grounder and Shawn Orias's bases-loaded walk, the third straight free pass issued by Winter Park starter Zach Moore.

Amyx and Mike Armstrong added RBI singles in the fourth and sixth innings. Armstrong, in right field on Sunday, was the game's only multi-hit batter, going 2-for-4.

Union City collected just six hits, but that was enough offense for the pitching of Raymond and Manny Espinosa, who combined for a four-hit shutout. Orias said that was the difference Sunday.

"Pitching carried us today," he said. "We had heard their pitcher was all that, and we did struggle at the plate."

Winter Park did get runners aboard by virtue of four walks and three Union City errors, but left nine on base, including four runners stranded at third.

Winter Park manager Joe Russell credited Union City for keeping them off the scoreboard.

"Those guys got the job done tonight," he said. "We didn't capitalize on our chances and they did."

Orias acknowledged that he and his team knew nothing about British Columbia, tonight's opponent -- or any of the tournament's eight other teams, for that matter.

"We're going to play every team here like they're the best in the world," he said.

In today's other action, Newark, Del., plays Panama City, Panama at 7:30 a.m. (PDT), Ramstein Air Force Base, Germany, plays Pinnelas Park, Fla., at 10:30 a.m., and Agana, Guam, faces Des Moines, Iowa, at 1:30 p.m.

Winter Park000 000 0--0 4 3

Union City022 101 x--6 6 3

Raymond, Espinoza (6) and A. Berumen; Moore, Nathanson (5), Weckerle (6) and Gerber. WP--Raymond (7-0). LP--Moore (2-1).

Top hitters: UC--Orias RBI; Dorotheo 2B; Armstrong 2x4, RBI; Amyx RBI; Boado RBI, 2 runs.