BV Legion falls to Connellsville on late error

By JASON BLACK

For the MV Independent

Connellsville Legion assistant Jeff McWilliams has been coaching baseball for 40 years, but at the end of Monday’s game between Connellsville and visiting Belle Vernon, he had seen something new.

Connellsville had three runners hung up between bases in the eighth inning, yet somehow managed to score the winning run on a throwing error as Austin Petraglia slid home with the game-winner in a 7-6 victory over Belle Vernon at Connellsville High School.

“I’ve seen a lot of crazy stuff to end a game, but that was right up there with some of the craziest stuff I’ve seen in my career,” McWilliams said.

With the game tied, 6-6, Petraglia started the eighth with a double. Courtesy runner Luke Warrick came in to run for Cade Warrick, who walked. With runners at first and second, Kyle Ridley reached on a bunt single. On the play, the ball was thrown high to first, and Ridley safely reached, running hard through the bag. However, as Ridley turned to come back to the bag, he made a move toward second. Ridley got hung up between first and second, and Luke Warrick was dangling between second and third. Belle Vernon tried to get the outs on the infield, but Petraglia broke for the plate. The throw home from second base sailed high, allowing Petraglia to bring in the winning run.

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