Wolverines Keep Playoff Hopes Alive, Shutout Shady Side Academy

Ellwood City defeated Shady Side Academy 4-0 on Monday as Ryan Gibbons and Ryan Hampton combined to toss a three-hit shutout.

Ellwood City fired up the offense in the first inning, when Samuel DiCaprio singled on a 2-2 count, scoring one run. The Wolverines put up a four-spot in the first frame, accounting for all of the game’s offense. Both teams accounted for only seven hits – all singles.

Gibbons got the win for the Wolverines. He allowed only one hit over four scoreless innings, striking out six and walking zero. Hampton threw three innings in relief out of the bullpen.

John Salvitti took the loss for Shady Side Academy. He went six innings, allowing four runs on four hits, striking out three and walking one.

DiCaprio, James Meehan, Doug Balin, and John Biskup all had one hit to lead Ellwood City. The Wolverines collected four steals on the basepaths and didn’t commit a single error in the field. Meehan had the most chances in the field with nine. Shady Side Academy was sure-handed in the field and didn’t commit a single error. Mike George had the most chances in the field with ten.

The Wolverines improve to 5-6 in Class 3A Section 2 play (6-9 overall). Ellwood City is percentage points behind third place Freedom, whom the Wolverines defeated last week, in a chase for a WPIAL playoff birth.

photos courtesy of ECWolverines.com