by DAVE FACINOLI

Sun-Gazette

The hitting of Jay Sborz, and in this particular game not necessarily his pitching, was the story for the Langley Saxons (7-1) in their 12-2 win over the Marshall Statesmen last week. Sborz belted two homers, including a grand slam, and drove in seven runs to lead Langley. His other homer was a three-run shot.

On the mound, the right-hander (3-1) pitched a complete game in the five-inning contest. He struck out 10, allowed two hits and two earned runs, and walked one batter. Jon Greenwich and Chuck Eller had two hits each for Langley. One of Greenwich’s hits was a homer. Greenwich also made a diving catch in the outfield.

Marshall scored its two runs in the first inning.

“Jay didn’t start off well, but then he settled down and got his offspeed stuff working,” Langley coach Jeff Ferrell said.

Sborz also had a big game in Langley’s 4-3 win against W.T. Woodson last week. He was 2 for 2 with a homer and got the save in two innings of work. Russell Blankinship (3-0) got the win and Nick Houston had two hits and scored the winning run on Chuck Eller’s sacrifice fly.

Langley will be busy this week. The Saxons are scheduled to play four more games in the Glory Days Wooden Bat Spring Break Tournament. They opened the tournament on Saturday with a 3-2 win over Lake Braddock. The one-run win was their third this season.

With the win, Langley improved its winning streak to six games and gave the Saxons one more victory than its entire total in 2002 when Langley finished 6-16.

Jimmy Saris pitched six innings to get the win against Lake Braddock in his first varsity start. He struck out three, walked one and allowed six hits. Alex Gregory had a two-run double for Langley, and handled nine chances at third base without an error. Sborz belted his fifth homer of the season in the game, Nick Zahra had two hits and Blankinship got the save.