A setback for Arlington baseball

This was a rough one for Arlington.

Especially because ace Trace Ruffie couldn't have pitched much better in the second round game of the American Legion baseball Great Lakes Regional in Menominee, Mich., on Friday night.

The right-hander from Hersey and sophomore-to-be at Carthage College was in complete command against Norchester, Pa.

But with two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, Ruffie's only walk, a stolen base and a bouncing single up the middle sent him and Arlington (44-11) to a 1-0 loss.

Arlington now plays at 4:30 p.m. today in an elimination game against Blissfield, Mich.

"'Ruff' just pitched great and to lose that," said Arlington coach Lloyd Meyer. "Poor 'Ruff,' jeez, he was throwing really good. He had a good curveball and he was changing (speeeds)."

The only other hit Ruffie (11-3) allowed was a double to start the game for Norchester (36-13) by Rodney Francis. Ruffie picked him off and retired the next 17 hitters.

After Ruffie's error, he retired nine in a row before Francis walked, swiped second and came in on George Kochu's single.

"He looked untouchable," Arlington right fielder Tim Churchill said after Ruffie had 11 strikeouts. "The other team was guessing what pitches were coming and it looked like they guessed wrong every time."

Churchill was 2-for-3 as Arlington had its share of chances with 7 hits and 4 walks. It had runners on base in every inning but the third but stranded 9 runners.

"It seemed like every inning we had a runner on second base and it just never came through," Churchill said. "Maybe guys were tensing up because it didn't seem like our normal team. It was like we were pressing because we had to get this run in."

Matt Serna singled to start the ninth and reached third with one out. Arlington left two on in the eighth.

But this is familiar territory for Arlington with Kyle Gaedele starting today. It lost its second game in the Cook County tourney and its opener in the state tourney.

"It's a tough loss but we've got to bounce back (today)," Churchill said.

"It's heartbreaking and I know the kids are heartbroken," Meyer said. "But we've got to bounce back and do the best we can.

"It's over and it's done. I think they'll be alright."