McDonough flawless in Quincy win
 

August 16, 2008 - Quincy pitcher Lukas McDonough wound up against Tallahassee, Florida during the opening round of the Babe Ruth World Series at Adams field.  Photo by Mark Thomson/For The Patriot Ledger.

By ADAM RIGLIAN
The Patriot Ledger

QUINCY - It's conventional wisdom that the host team doesn't belong as much as the teams that qualified for the Babe Ruth World Series the hard way.

Throw out conventional wisdom.

Quincy's Luke McDonough did, pitching a complete-game, four-hitter with 10 strikeouts, leading the hometown team to a 2-1 victory over defending 13-year-old Babe Ruth World Series champion Tallahassee, Fla.

"It's incredible, and the big thing is (McDonough) doesn't have to throw anything but the fastball, because they can't catch it," Quincy coach Dick Lombardi said. "I just want to take in tonight. We beat the reigning world champions."

Quincy got on the board early after Mike Stille sacrificed Adam Nazarro home, and that was the extent of the offense for the majority of the game.

McDonough's outstanding performance may have dimmed, but certainly did not overshadow a tremendous outing from Tallahassee lefty-hurler Tom Watson.

Watson effectively used a curveball that had Quincy hitters way out in front all night. He went the distance, allowing three hits, one earned run, and striking out eight.

"Thomas Watson pitched great for us, and we just couldn't string any hits together," Tallahassee coach Mike Harrison said. "You have to tip your hat to Luke."

Tallahassee threatened in the fifth, loading the bases on a Landon Hoffman single sandwiched by two walks. McDonough got Payson Smith to pop up to second and Watson to fly to left to get out of the jam.

In the top of the seventh, McDonough helped his own cause by sacrificing in Stille, who drove in the previous run. Stille got in position after the third basemen threw the ball into left field on his infield single. He took two bases after the ball became lodged under the fence.

Despite carrying a 2-0 lead into the seventh, Quincy did not make it easy on themselves. Tallahassee has prided itself on comebacks this year and nearly pulled off another Saturday night.

Jackson Kittrell scored on a Tom Watson double to cut the lead to one. With two outs and two on McDonough got Garrett Johnson to sky one to the short stop to clinch the victory.

Lombardi never thought of taking him out.

"He was gonna win, or he was gonna lose," he said. "This is the greatest win in Quincy Babe Ruth history."

August 16, 2008 - Jackson Kittrell, of the Tallahassee, Florida team, laid down a bunt against Quincy during the opening round of the Babe Ruth World Series at Adams field. Photo by Mark Thomson/For The Patriot Ledger.