Three-time defending champion New Orleans Boosters defeated Johnstown-2 Martella’s Pharmacy 12-6 in Pool B at Sargent’s Stadium on Wednesday afternoon.
First baseman Jhonnatan Ferrebus smashed two home runs over the screen and had a double and five RBIs for the Boosters. Johnstown-2 Martella’s Pharmacy slugger Nick Fleming hit a home run and Joe McGowan legged out a triple to deep right field.
New Orleans (3-0) took the top seed in Pool B, and Martella’s (2-1) took the second spot.
The Boosters will play Pool A second seed New Brunswick (2-1). Martella’s will play Pool A first seed Brooklyn-2 Cougars (2-1) on Thursday.
In other afternoon games, Altoona-1 Cumming Motors (2-1) beat Youngstown Creekside Crocodiles (2-1) 13-4 in Pool C. Altoona collected 19 hits, including four by Jacob Hillard and three apiece by Aidan Steinbugl and Kevin Lehner. Hillard homered and had three doubles for four extra-base hits.
Lucas Muffie hit a home run. Lehner, Corey Chamberlain, Alex Abeling and Ethan Shimony each doubled.
Philadelphia Bandits defeated Cleveland B2Bulls 12-1. Aidan Robbins had two triples, two RBIs and three runs for Philadelphia. Ethan Martini and Wyatt Baker each doubled.
At Lilly, Buffalo LDC Edge (1-2) won 8-4 over Columbus TNT Knights (1-2) in Pool D.
Buffalo’s Nolan Evans pitched 3 2/3 scoreless innings of relief with five strikeouts to earn the win. LDC Edge’s Vincent Stutz went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and a double. His run-scoring single in the seventh gave Buffalo the lead for good.
Columbus’ Nick Cassell went 3-for-4 with a double, one run and one run batted in. TNT Knights’ Phillip Vilardo doubled.