Published: April 27, 2008 12:44 am         

Walsh falls to Altoona

Mason Stevens hit a two-run home run as two-time defending champion Altoona knocked off Bishop Walsh 8-3 in a consolation game of the Dean Patterson Curve Classic Saturday at Blair County Ballpark.

Both teams played scoreless ball through the first three innings and both scored three runs in the fourth. Altoona went on to score three runs in the sixth and two in the seventh.

Ryan Harshbarger added a double and a single and Josh Wright hit two singles for Altoona. In addition to have won the last two Curve Classics, Altoona is the defending Class AAA state champion.

“We held our ground with them pretty well,” said BW head coach Sam Torres. “We made a couple of mistakes in the sixth inning, and a good team is always going to capitalize on them.”

The Spartans got two singles form Conner O’Rourke, and RBI doubles from Eric Diamond and Jonathan Cullen.

Torres said the experience in the classic was good for the team. Bishop Walsh is the first team outside of Pennsylvania to play in the weekend tournamen.

“It was great for our players to get to play in a venue such as Blair County Ballpark. They treated us like guests in a first-class home. The competition was of great caliber and the sportsmanship was top-of-the-list all around the board.”

The Spartans (6-10) play Tuesday at Allegany with the City championship on the line. An Allegany win would secure the crown for the Campers, and a BW victory would assure the Spartans of at least a tie.