By Tony Solorzano
(Arcadia) Four first-inning runs put senior pitcher Jake Smigelski in position to notch a complete game as Glendora knocked off host Arcadia 10-2 in the finals of the Apache Invitational Thursday night at Giambrone Field.
The Apaches (10-3, 4-0) were riding a seven-game winning streak going into Thursday’s final, and starting pitcher K.J. Edson was able to keep the Tartan bats from launching anything deep. However, the balls they were connecting on were finding the gaps in the infield. In the first inning, Joseph Woodward reached on a single and Clinton Hardwick was hit by a pitch with one out when eventual tournament MVP Joseph Winterburn hit a fast grounder towards Arcadia third baseman Tyler Dominguez that looked at first like a sure double play ball. But the ball took an odd bounce right in front of Dominguez and ricocheted off his foot, eventually landing near the Apache dugout, allowing Woodard to score.
Harwick scored on John Alexander’s chopper to the mound that Edson had no play on, while Winterburn crossed the plate on a single by Kyle Layton. Layton was thrown out on a potential double play but shortstop Garrett Tuck’s throw to first was beaten out by J.T. Riley. Riley’s attempted steal was cut down by catcher Chris Lucas ending the inning, but the damage was done.
“I was hitting my spots but they just kept finding the gaps,” said Edson after the game. “I was just trying to hold things in the second but it was just lucky shots that they got their runs on.”
Glendora head coach Daniel Henley echoed the sentiments. “They are a great team and we just found the cracks on our hits,” Henley said. “I told the team before the game they (Arcadia) were a good team, but this wasn’t an overwhelming win.”
Edson lasted 5 1/3 innings before being lifted for Jeff Kim with one out in the sixth. He struck out five and walked two but hit two batters, surrendering six runs on eight hits. On the other side, Smigelski went the distance, surrendering only two runs on eight hits, while striking out seven. The third was the only inning he struggled, as he faced eight batters in the inning and loading the bases before finally striking out Kristian Noguchi to end the inning.
Arcadia returns to Pacific League play on Friday April 16 when they host Crescenta Valley at Giambrone Field.
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