Gorman wins Legion Series opener

Staff reports

Friday, Aug. 22, 2008 | 10:35 a.m.

Jeff Malm, Erik Van Meetren and Johnny Field combined for six hits and five RBI to spark the Bishop Gorman American Legion team to a 7-5 victory over Omaha, Neb., in the first game of the American Legion World Series today.

Donn Roach pitched seven strong innings, scattering seven hits while allowing three runs. He struck out seven while walking two.

The Gorman team, which plays as the Southern Nevada Titans during the Legion season, built a seemingly comfortable 6-1 lead after seven innings before Omaha rallied for four runs in the bottom of the eighth to make it interesting.

But Corey Lafler doubled in a run in the top of the ninth to give Gorman some breathing room and Malm came on to pitch in the bottom of the ninth, retiring the side in order, to preserve the victory.

“Getting a win in the first game was the hardest part,” Roach said. “We really think we can win this thing.”

Gorman also played in the 2006 series but lost both its games. Now, with seven returning players from that team, the Titans feel their experience will be an asset.

“They know what they are in for and what to expect. They know we can play good enough baseball to win this thing,” Gorman coach Chris Sheff said.

Roach, who will pitch for the University of Arizona in the spring and was scheduled to start classes Monday, gave up seven hits and struck out seven. He has been part of Gorman’s three straight high school and Legion championship teams.

“This is a great way to end my high school career,” he said.

Gorman got on the board in the top of the first on Van Meetren's RBI single, made it 2-0 in the third on back-to-back doubles by Malm and Field and tacked on another run in the fourth when Neil Lawhorn singled home Lafler, who had reached on a throwing error.

Then in the seventh, Malm, Field and Van Meetren each had an RBI double as Gorman made it 6-1.

The Titans, who improved to 71-7-1 with their 17th consecutive victory, will meet the winner of this afternoon's game pitting Pasco, Wash., against Jonesboro, Ark., at 2 p.m. (PDT) Saturday.

Danny Marcuzzo went 3-for-5 to lead Omaha, which dropped to 41-17 and will continue play in the loser's bracket of the double-elimination tournament on Saturday.

Home News sports editor Ray Brewer contributed to this report.