Cory Berning Lifts Naples Past Lely

Cory Berning went 3-for-3 with a triple Thursday night.

The Lely Trojans hosted the Naples Golden Eagles in a non district game on Thursday night. Strong pitching and an explosive third and fourth inning led the Golden Eagles to a 5-1 victory.

“Our pitchers did a great job of limiting them to only one run,” Said Naples manager George Reidy. “Cory Berning really had heck of a game for us.”

Naples was quickly able to load the bases in the top of the first inning. But the Trojan’s starting pitcher, Luis Diaz, got out of the inning unscathed when he was able to retire the next three batters.

Trojans leadoff hitter Brian Diaz got the bottom of the first inning started with a well-placed single through the left side. He later advanced to second on a ground ball hit by Gabe Lopez. Luis Diaz then doubled down the right field line, allowing Brain Diaz to score from second to give Lely the first lead of the night.

After allowing one run in the first inning, Golden Eagles starting pitcher Jordan Allen proceeded to pitch the next two innings without allowing a runner past second base.

“I just tried to throw strikes and get into a good rhythm,” Jordan Allen said. “I let my defense do the work for me.”

The top of the third inning started when Cory Berning collected his second hit of the night with a single up the middle.

“I was just trying to wait on the ball and put a good swing on it,” Cory Berning said.

Matthew Vetter then hit a line drive over the head of the Trojan’s center fielder, allowing Berning to score from first. Vetter stole third, putting him in prime scoring position for the Golden Eagles. He then scored on a passed ball, giving Naples a 2-1 lead.

Luis Diaz drove in the only run of the game for Lely.

Now with the lead, Naples put Berning on the mound. Berning pitched the remainder of the game without allowing a run.

Naples struck again in the fourth. B.J Minarcin hit a line-drive single up the middle, allowing Doug Belanger to score from second. Cory Berning then got his third hit of the night with a triple over the head of the center fielder. Giovanni DiGiacomo followed Berning’s three-baser with a triple of his own, increasing Naples’ lead to four runs.

Lely failed to score any runs against Berning.

“I am happy that we competed till the end of the game,” said Lely Manager Greg Dombrowski. “I am proud of our pitcher who hung in their throughout the game.”

Berning collected a total of five strikeouts, with three of them coming in the seventh when he struck out the side.

“I was just tried to throw strikes,” said Berning. “I tried to mix my curveball in their to keep them off balance.”

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