July 26, 2006

District I captures Eastern Regional
By MIKE FINNEY - The News Journal

Special to the News Journal/JASON MINTO Delaware District I catcher Mike Sturgis celebrates after making a putout at home plate against Delaware District II on Tuesday.

DOVER -- Accomplishments are often made sweeter after some hardship is endured.

Such was the case for the Delaware District I Big League baseball team, made up of all-stars from Kent County.

One year ago, District I dropped an Eastern Regional championship doubleheader to District II (New Castle County) and lost a chance to advance to the Big League World Series.

District I took care of business this time around.

Bubba Feague pitched five strong innings and Jake Emerson and Kyle McGuire knocked in a pair of runs apiece as District I defeated District II 7-4 Tuesday night to capture the Eastern Regional championship and its first Big League World Series bid since 1999.

District I will open World Series play this Saturday at 1 p.m. in Easley, S.C., taking on the Asia-Pacific champion. The tourney continues until Aug. 5.

"They were ready to go," District I manager Bryan Willey said. "This has been something that we've been planning for a long time. Last year, it was rough. We got right here and then failed. It wasn't going to happen again."

The Kent County all-stars sent 10 batters to the plate in the first inning, scoring five runs on five hits off New Castle starter Travis Wilson.

McGuire's two-run bloop single over the second baseman's head gave District I a 4-0 lead before Eddie Stratton hit a run-scoring single down the left-field line.

"They jumped out on top, and they're a good ballclub, and we couldn't let them get that far away," said District II manager Pat Walling.

District I scored on Emerson's double in the second.

Feague allowed only four hits in five innings, including solo home runs to Rob Bryson and Nick Hower. The right-hander threw 77 pitches, 46 for strikes.

District I withstood a comeback effort when District II loaded the bases with nobody out in the sixth. It gave up two runs, but reliever Matt Starkey worked out of the jam.

Manny Hurley then pitched a perfect seventh for District I.

It was normal procedure for the Kent County all-stars.

"We always seem to have that one inning where we don't get along," Feague said. "We get our heads back in the game and turn around and win it and then go on."

This time, they will go on to the World Series.