Pinkerton 9, Exeter 0

By rbrown
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Updated: June 9, 2024

DIVISION I
Pinkerton 9, Exeter 0

ExeterVarsityBlueHawks_vs_PinkertonAstrosVarsity_Jun_8_2024

Top-seeded Pinkerton Academy and second-seeded Exeter were scoreless through three innings Saturday night, but it was all Astros after that. Once things went bad for the Blue Hawks they stayed bad.

Pinkerton (21-1) broke the game open with a five-run third, added a run in the fifth and scored three more runs in the sixth. Michael Cioffi (5.2 innings) and Hunter Brasier combined on the shutout.

Pinkerton’s first six batters reached base in the five-run fourth. Exeter was limited to four hits in the game, two of which came from the first two batters in the first inning.

“I think once Cioffi settled in and started to really get that curveball going … it’s a devastating pitch,” Pinkerton coach Steve Campo said. “To hold Exeter the way he did is unbelievable. That’s a very good hitting team — a very good team all-around. Offensively our approach was just try to put the ball in play. Don’t try to do too much.”

It was Pinkerton’s third straight trip to the Division I championship game, and its second title during that span.

Brasier had two of Pinkerton’s 10 hits. He also had an RBI and scored a run. Preston Libby also had two hits for the Astros.

Hayden Schimoler (two), Michael Caron and Shea LaFleur collected the Exeter hits. The Blue Hawks (21-2) left the bases loaded in the first inning, and stranded at least one runner in six of the seven innings.

“You have to give them credit,” Exeter coach Bruce Joyce said. “They earned this. They played well. They hit the ball and they pitched great. Hats off to them for a great game.

“Very proud of our guys even though it didn’t go our way. Couldn’t be more proud of this group of guys to get this far and get to this game. I don’t believe you’re ever defined by one game. This is among the best teams to ever play at Exeter.”

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