Generals oust Front Royal

By Corine Gatti The News Virginian
Published: July 15, 2008

The Generals extended their first place lead in the South Division over Covington to four games on Monday night defeating last place Front Royal 9-3 at Kate Collins field.
Generals pitcher Jeff Sinkiewicz, filling in for Jared Dobbs who is sidelined with a tender elbow, gave the Cardinals hope by walking the leadoff batter at the top of the first inning. Casey Albanese executed the squeeze bunt for an infield single and Sinkiewicz balked to load the bases for Mike Wallace.
Wallace hit a slow roller down the first base line to score Chad Cunningham.
Sinkiewicz saw pitching coach Derek McDaniel approaching the mound.
“I figured that he was coming out sometime soon,” Sinkiewicz said. “He told me to settle down because he has seen what I could do this summer. But I just couldn’t throw strikes, and I was struggling. My defense really helped me. I think that encouraged me, they started making plays.”
Generals coach Lawrence Nesselrodt said Sinkiewicz did his job.
“He has pitched in and out of jams for us. He’s been in the spot-pitching role, it’s not easy, so you don’t get a rhythm,” Lawrence Nesselrodt said. “He weathered the storm early and gave us five-plus quality innings.”
Teammate Mark Dvoroznak added offense in the Generals first at-bat with a leadoff single to left-center field. Evan Webb then smoked the ball for a two-run homer over the left field fence for a 2-1 lead. The Generals added another run in the fourth for a 3-1 lead.  The Cardinals answered by forcing Sinkiewicz out of the game in the bottom of the sixth when they reached home plate after a walk and two wild pitches to tie the game 3-3.
Pitcher Pete Vandenbout got out of the inning but allowed a home run at the top of the seventh for the go-ahead run.
“We never give in,” said Webb, who went 2-for-3 and adding four RBI to the cause. “There is never a time that we think that we have a loss. We especially play well at home.”
The Generals 13-2 at KC and gave fans their moneys worth in the bottom of the seventh. Back on their heels, the Generals rallied for a 7-3 lead that started when Cardinals relief pitcher Scott Knoche walked Chris Enourato and Greg Meleski followed with an infield single. The Cardinals intentionally walked Brandon Sizemore and Mark Dvoroznak walked to force in another run. Webb, who came into the game with 27 RBI, added two more to his resume by punching a single. Ryan Adams followed his teammate with a RBI single to seal the 9-3 win.
Nesselrodt said his pitching staff came through for them, especially Vandenbout, who picked up the win.
“Pete came through for us especially pitching through those middle innings. Those guys never get enough credit, but Pete got his outs. That’s all we ask for,” Nesselrodt said.