Malone gets first win as Commodores beat Southmoreland

By JASON BLACK

For MVI Sports

New Frazier baseball coach John Malone regularly talks to his team about the importance of trying to win every inning in every game. On Monday, the Commodores won the first inning against visiting Southmoreland in a non-section game, and it proved to be the catalyst for Frazier’s first victory of the season, a 5-2 triumph over the Scotties. 

Frazier scored three runs in the first inning on their way to the victory.

“Looking back, that first inning was huge for us,” Malone said. “We got guys on base and that’s what we’re trying to do.”

The Commodores won the inning, but they trailed in the game almost immediately as Southmoreland jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first.

Ben Zimmerman worked a leadoff walk, swiped a pair of bags and scored on an RBI single by Brok Potoka.

But Frazier responded as Aidan Shetterly and Dom Dorcon worked back-to-back walks off Potoka to start the bottom of the first. Chase Hazelbaker then tied the game with an RBI single before Daniel Olbrys walked to load the bases. That prompted Southmoreland coach Allen Govern to bring in Anthony Govern in relief.

Anthony Govern got a strikeout, but then gave up a two-run single to Jacob Thomas as Frazier bolted to a 3-1 edge.

The game settled down after the first as Anthony Govern and Frazier’s Dorcon each found a nice rhythm.

Dorcon pitched into the fifth and allowed just one run before giving way to Hazelbaker, who finished with a three-inning save.

“Dom didn’t have his best stuff, but he battled and I can’t say enough about the type of kid he is and his work ethic,” Malone said. “Then Chase came in and did what I expect him to do every time he goes out on the mound.”

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