Published: May 12, 2008 10:47 am         

PSC gets past Chesapeake

Altemus pitches Catamounts over Skipjacks, 6-2, in opener

HANOVER - After two days of rain the 2008 Region XX Division 1 tournament finally got under way Sunday and Andy Altemus must have enjoyed the extra rest as the sophomore turned in a stellar complete-game effort, leading Potomac State over Chesapeake Community College 6-2 in the first game of the tournament.

The win advances Potomac State into the winner's bracket and a match-up with Hagerstown Community College. The Hawks won in the bottom of the ninth over Monroe College on Alex Stover's two-run double.

Altemus struck out six, walked two and didn't allow an extra base hit until a ninth-inning double by Bryan Woolford. The win raises his record to 6-2 on the year.

"It was a big-game effort from Andy," said Potomac State Head Coach Doug Little. "He changed speeds, worked fast and we played some good defense behind him."

Altemus agreed with his coach's assessment.

"It's easy to pitch when guys are making plays behind you and scoring runs for you," he said. "I was able to get ground balls and I felt good all day."

Matt Schrader supplied an immediate boost for the Catamounts when he launched a two-run home run in the first inning that gave PSC a 2-0 lead.

That lead held up until the sixth inning when PSC added four runs that started with a single from Kyle Orensky. Schrader then reached on an error to put runners at first and second. Both runners moved up on a wild pitch and Orensky scored on another wild pitch on a walk to Jason Lombard. Another wild pitch allowed Schrader to score to make it 4-0.

Mike Smith then walked and moved to second on the fourth wild pitch of the inning putting runners at second and third. Jacke Healey then fisted a base hit that allowed both Lombard and Smith to score and the 6-0 lead.

Chesapeake finally broke through on Altemus in the ninth on an infield hit, a double, a sacrifice fly from Andrew Markey and an RBI single from James Corriveau.

Chris Custer took the loss for the Skipjacks. He worked five innings, gave up five runs - four earned - and struck out two. Evan Ford worked the final three innings for CCC.

Rain interrupted the loser's bracket game with Monroe and Chesapeake in the second inning. Plans for the reminder of the tournament are to be determined.