Slow start, explosive finish

Mike Gaynor, manager of Toms River, New Jersey, might have been awake all night trying to decide who to pitch in their game against Boise, Idaho

His decision: Zack Del Vento.

Del Vento came into the game having only started once in post-season play. Gaynor was tentative to use him all post-season long due to inconsistency with throwing strikes. "Hey, I’m proud and happy for his performance tonight," Gaynor said. "When the crowd cheered I became really confident," Del Vento said.

Not only was he confident, but calm and composed. His performance was similar to that of Gaynor’s in their game against the South; both pitched shutouts.

An aid to Del Vento might have been the tentative approach by the Idaho batters. "The boys weren’t intimidated by the East, but they were tentative," said Stan McGrady, manager of the West.

For the East, their offense stayed rather quiet for the first five innings. In the sixth, they exploded for three runs on four hits and a costly wild pitch. Gaynor drove in two insurance runs to cap off the rally. "We finally got on base and scored runs," said Eric Campesi, who had three hits of his own including one in the big inning.

The West hurler, Devon Biddinger, pitched five innings of great baseball. He gave up only one run on four hits, but his teammates couldn’t match the offense set forth by the East. Biddinger was pulled after five complete innings of work.

"Devon just got over bronchitis so I figured he might be tiring," McGrady said.

The East will now probably play for the U.S. Championship on Thursday. With two wins they are in good position to advance. For the West, they need to bounce back and win their final two games.

--Mark Rogoff
   Special Correspondent