Whalers topple Terryville, 4-1, and snap losing streak

WINSTED — After spiraling into an early four-game losing streak this season, the Whalers were able to battle for a win at home in a 4-1 outing against the Terryville Black Sox on Thursday, Jun.16.The Black Sox managed to chalk up a run in the first, but could not squeak another from Winsted starter Donny Crossman. The Whalers’ Ricky Langer worked a walk in the bottom half of the first, then swiped second to put himself in position to score for Winsted big hitter Charlie Putnam. Putnam did indeed capitalize with a man at second and drove a long line single to bring Langer in to even up at one. Terryville starter Joe Deming began laboring to find the zone, coughing up a pair of walks and giving up an unearned run as a wild pitch provided space for Putnam to score. Deming allowed another walk, then a lackluster defensive play turned up as an error allowing another run to score. Deming’s woes seemed far from over, as he walked his fifth batter of the inning with bases loaded, bringing the Whalers’ advantage to 4-1 heading into the top of the second.Ugliness at the mound continued as Crossman now began to struggle in the top of the second, giving up a single and double to kick off the inning. Crossman remained composed and dropped the next batter on strikes, then fielded a grounder that came hard up the middle for the second out of the inning. Crossman loaded the bases after clipping the next batter with a pitch, but worked himself out of trouble with another strikeout to end the inning - preserving the Whalers’ 4-1 lead.The Black Sox sent two pitchers to duel with Crossman at the mound throughout the affair, but neither side seemed able to break through offensively to open up the scoring. Crossman worked a one-two-three inning in the fourth, then benefited from a big play in the fifth, when a long line drive was caught, then hurled in for a bang-bang play at home plate to catch the runner trying to score. Crossman’s marvelous pitching efforts earned him a three strikeout inning in the sixth, and eventually helped the Whalers maintain their early lead for the 4-1 win at home.Winsted needed a scrappy win to snap the early season losing streak, and despite the minimal scoring, did receive some good offensive efforts through their lineup. Ricky Langer worked a walk, a single, a double, and added a stolen base and a run scored. Charlie Putnam offered two base hits, a RBI, and a run scored.Donny Crossman pitched a strong complete game performance, striking out 10 while giving up only five hits. The Whalers record improves to 2-4 with the win at Walker Field.