Freight deliver pair of 7-0 victories

Posted: Tuesday, Jun 28, 2005 - 10:24:52 am CDT
By Chris Stalter, Sports Editor

Vandalia's men's fastpitch softball team started its run for a third straight title at the Altamont Fourth of July Tournament by winning two 7-0 games.

Guaranteed Air Freight advanced to the winners' bracket semifinals by defeating Sporty's Tap of Effingham on Saturday, 7-0 in six innings, and Franny's of Springfield on Sunday, 7-0 in five innings.

The Freight outhit their opponents 20-6 in the two victories, as Alan Meinhart threw two three-hit shutouts. Meinhart recorded 25 of 33 outs over the weekend by strikeout, fanning 14 on Saturday and 11 more on Sunday.

The Freight's offense gave Meinhart plenty of early support in both wins. On Saturday, Mike Simmons hit a home run to lead off the game. Jeremy Moore followed with a single, scoring quickly on an RBI double by Rich Well, to give the Freight a 2-0 lead in the first inning.

The lead increased to 4-0 after the Freight scored two more runs in the fourth. J.D. Arnold and Jeff Jarrett drove in the runs with RBI singles.

The Freight capped off their scoring with three runs in the sixth inning on a two-run homer by Brad Sturdy and Simmons' second solo homer of the game.

Simmons led the hit parade with his two homers. Jarrett also had two hits.

On Sunday, the Freight came out of the gate swinging, punishing Franny's for six runs in the top of the first inning. The Freight crushed seven hits in the frame, including six for extra bases. Simmons, Moore and Well again set the tone, as Simmons doubled and trotted home on a homer by Moore. Well restarted the rally by lining a double to the left-field fence. Well scored on a double by Mark Burnam. Burnam scored on a double by Joe Kelly.

A single by Jeff Jarrett drove in Kelly. Jarrett scored the sixth and final run of the inning on a triple by Kevin Cook.

Moore led off the second inning with his second homer of the game. In addition to his 2-for-2 performance, Well and Cook also had 2-for-2 games.

Neither team could change the scoreboard after that, with the Freight claiming the 7-0 victory.

The Freight advance to the winners' bracket semifinals on Friday against Belleville Wolfpack. The contest is set to begin at 9 p.m. In the other semifinal, Wessel's will meet Altamont Home Center.

There are six teams left with one loss - Mt. Zion Merchants, Nohren Farms of Villa Grove, Elkville Fastpitch, Belleville Stallions, Pete's Blues of Mascoutah and the Cerro Gordo Broncos.

The winner of the Freight/Wolfpack game returns to action at 6:30 p.m. on Saturday, while the loser plays at 3 p.m. on Saturday. The Freight have won the Altamont Tourney three of the past four years.

To prepare for the tournament's second weekend, the Freight (15-9) will play at Teutopolis against T-Town KC's at 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday.