Laird pitches Culpeper to 14-1 win over McIntire

CHARLOTTESVILLE — The Culpeper American 9-10 all-star baseball team exploded for 16 hits Saturday in a 14-1 victory over McIntire Little League.

The game, stopped in the fourth inning because of the 10-run rule, was the opening round of the District 14 double-elimination tournament.

Starting pitcher David Laird went 2 1/3 innings to pick up the victory, improving to 1-1 in tournament play. Relievers Nate Smith and Josh Pittman closed the game by giving up no runs.

At the plate, Culpeper continued to get major production from its first four hitters: second baseman Colin Glenny (4-for-5, two runs scored), center fielder Kevin Devine (3-for-4, RBI), catcher Ray Tricarico (1-for-3) and Laird (2-for-2, three RBIs).

First baseman Ronnie Murphy (2-for-3, three RBIs) helped put the game out of reach with a bases-loaded triple; shortstop Josh Pittman (1-for-2, two RBIs) and left fielder Cody Howard (2-for-2, two RBIs) also had a big day.

Howard put Culpeper up 4-0 in the first inning after pinch-hitting for Zach Thomas, who was injured at the plate with an 0-2 count. Coming off the bench, Howard laced a fastball over the center fielder’s head, scoring two runs.

Thomas re-entered the game in the third inning and made a sliding catch in left field in the fourth.

“That was the most complete game I’ve seen our team play,” manager Ray Tricarico said. “But the job’s not done.”

Up next for Culpeper is a 1 p.m. matchup today with Louisa, which beat Gordonsville 10-0 Saturday in the other half of the four-team bracket. Louisa handed Culpeper its only loss of the tournament, 6-1, last week in pool play.

Gordonsville and McIntire play today at 3:30 p.m. The loser will be eliminated.

All games are being played at Monticello Little League.