A No-No For Stefano

 Friday night was a big night for Stefano Giovannelli as he pitched a no-hitter, hit a bases clearing triple and struck out 11 batters to lead the St. Louis Park Orioles to a 6-0 win over the Minneapolis South Tigers in the opening round of the Section 6AAAA Baseball Tournament at Derrick Keller Field at Dakota Park.  

Neither team would tally in the game's first three innings though the Tigers leadoff hitter Gavin Jensen reached base on a throwing error by second baseman Henry Odens.  But first baseman Brady Walsh threw to shortstop Ben Farley covering second base and tagged out Jensen.  

Giovannelli would account for the Orioles first run in the bottom of the fourth and would score on a wild pitch.  

St. Louis Park would break the game open in the bottom of the fifth.  Walsh was hit by a pitch, Odens singled putting two runners aboard and Farley walked to load the bases.  Up to bat was Giovannelli and he hit a bases loaded triple to put the Orioles ahead by four.  

Farley would come through in the bottom of the sixth as he stroked a two run double to score courtesy runner Thomas Moot and Odens.  

The game headed into the top of the seventh.  Could Giovannelli enter the record book?  He got off to a rough start when Tariku Westru-Ostrum would reached base safely .  But it was ruled an error due to third baseman Andrew Vela bobbling the ball.  Giovannelli would give up a walk to Justin Benjamin with two outs.  Collin Davis, South's starting pitcher came to the plate and it looked like the Tigers would end any chance of a no-hitter.  He hit a long drive to left field and Stanley Regguinti playing near the left field fence hung on to the ball to end the game.  

Giovannelli commented on how he got out of the seventh inning jam following the game.  

"Staying comfortable and felling comfortable."  

St. Louis Park improved their record to 15-6 and will host the Minneapolis Southwest Lakers in the second round of the winners bracket Saturday, May 28 at 12 noon at Derrick Keller Field.  Minneapolis South fell to 13-6 and will play an elimination bracket game, also on the 28th against the Armstrong Falcons at 11 AM in Plymouth.