Clark’s big inning dooms Whiting

Updated: May 2, 2011 11:32PM

HAMMOND — With two outs in the sixth inning of a 4-4 tie, Clark’s offense exploded for five runs, helping the Pioneers secure a 9-5 victory over Whiting.

Clark’s rally came right after Whiting had scored three runs to tie the game in the top of the sixth inning.

“It’s the same scenario every time we play Whiting,” said Clark (12-1, 2-0 GLAC) head coach Chris Moore. “These games are always going to go at least seven innings. It’s always a tough game.”

The contest started as a pitcher’s duel between Whiting’s Nick Filipek and Clark’s Enrique Zamora, with only one run crossing the plate in the first three innings. Zamora held Whiting hitless until the fourth inning.

“It took our guys a few times through the lineup to get used to Zamora’s speed,” said Whiting (8-7, 4-0 GSSC) head coach Kevin Lenz. “Eventually we caught up to him, we were patient, got a few guys on base, and we got some big base hits.”

Trailing 4-1 entering the sixth inning, Whiting got its first two runners on base. Coty Sparks then hit a line drive that resulted in the two lead runners being called out on the basepaths, although Sparks reached first to avoid the triple play. Sparks scored later in the inning and two more Oilers followed, tying the game at four.

Then the Pioneers sent nine batters to the plate and chased Filipek from the game in the deciding bottom half of the sixth inning. The biggest blow came off the bat of Zamora, who helped his own cause with a two-run single.

“Innings like that make me love the heart of our order,” said Zamora, who pitched all seven innings for his third win of the season. “Whenever that part of our lineup comes around, you know something is going to happen.”

Zamora went 2-for-4 with a triple and two RBI on offense, and he struck out 12 Oilers while surrendering five hits and five walks from the mound.

“I pitched way better today than I’ve been pitching in the past,” he said. “That practice mound over there has doing me some good in the last few weeks; I’ve really been working on my mechanics.”

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