By Joshua Yoder

MILROY – Foxpro gave it a good run late, but ultimately it was the Spike Island Pirates who were victorious over the Predators by the final score of 4-2 in a Centre County Baseball League game Wednesday night.

A big reason for that victory was due to the efforts of starting pitcher Zak Tiracorda who pitched six innings for the Pirates and collected five strikeouts and walked three batters. Tiracorda also only allowed two runs of three hits.

Spike Island got on board first in the top of the second inning where the Pirates scored two runs in the frame thanks to the efforts of Denny Prestash who blasted a two run shot to right field which also scored Jeremy Whitehead.

The Pirates added on more runs in the top half of the third where Isaac Tiracorda singled in courtesy runner Carson Jones to make it a 3-0 ballgame.

But the Predators refused to give up as they finally got some runs to come in as during the bottom of the sixth. With two outs and the bases loaded, catcher Jaxson Pupo singled to left center which brought home both Nick Negula and Rylan Bailey to cut the lead down to 3-2.

However, the Pirates responded in the top of the seventh where they managed to draw four straight walks to bring in another run, making it 4-2. But Calin McKnight came in and quickly got Foxpro out of the jam and to get Spike Island to hit into a 4-6-3 double play.

Zac Witherow came on for the Pirates in the bottom half of the seventh to close things out and Witherow did just that, striking out the first two batters before getting a fly out to center to earn the save.

All but two hitters in the Spike Island lineup had a hit in the game. While Foxpro was again held to just three hits with Jaxson Pupo getting two of those hits while big brother Evan Pupo got the third hit.

Isaiah Kearns pitched the first six innings for the Predators and had three strikeouts and two walks.

With this win, Spike Island looks to keep the winning ways going on Sunday as they will travel to face the Port Milda Woodpeckers.

Meanwhile, Foxpro looks to rebound as the Predators will host the Blanchard Bees today.

Best of luck to both teams!

Until Next Time!