Laird's Gem Propels Baseball to Shutout Victory Over Rochester

Vero Beach, Fl- Sophomore right-hander Dan Laird (Munhall, PA/Steel Valley) pitched seven shutout innings, while completely stifling Rochester's offense- he surrendered just two hits- in Greater Allegheny (3-3) baseball's 2-0 win.

The first two frames were scoreless, with Laird allowing just one base runner. Senior catcher Josh Kubisz (Goose Greek, SC/Goose Creek) led off the third with a single through the left side, and was replaced on the basepaths by speedster, freshman Alente Johnson (Rochester, PA/Rochester). Johnson caused trouble for Rochester instantly, as he stole second, and then advanced to third on an errant throw from the catcher. Sophomore left fielder Zach Zeroski (Imperial, PA/West Allegheny) followed with a sacrifice fly to center, plating Johnson.

Laird allowed just one hit and struck out three opposing hitters over the next two innings, keeping the GA lead at 1-0.

Freshman shortstop Luke Koshinsky (Plum, PA/Plum) led off the fifth with a single to left field, and then advanced to third following two miscues by the Rochester hurler in attempted pickoff moves. Senior second baseman Jason Paris (Houston, PA/Chartiers Houston) belted an RBI single into center, increasing the cushion to 2-0.

Rochester went one-two-three in the fifth, before threatening Laird's shutout in the sixth: a single, an error, and a ground out put a runner at third with just one out. Needing to buckle down, Laird struck out the next hitter, and recorded the final out himself on an infield pop-up.

To complete the shutout, Laird quickly struck out the first two men at the plate in the last half of the seventh, before sealing the win with a line out to left field. Over his seven innings, he allowed just two hits while hitting one batter. Laird (1-0) also struck out nine Rochester hitters. Zeroski went 1-2 with an RBI, with Paris also collecting an RBI.

The JV squad fell 5-3 to The Patriotes Academy (QC), with junior left-handed pitcher Tim Connelly (Pittsburgh, PA/Woodland Hills) making his first appearance since recovering from Tommy John surgery.

Greater Allegheny returns to the diamond tomorrow afternoon for a 1:00 PM tilt against USCAA foe, Apprentice.