AUGUSTA, NJ --- Justin Knoff (1-0) picked up the win in his first win in a Tornadoes uniform against his former mates this afternoon at Skylands Park. Worcester used a five run top of the fifth to stomp out the blue birds 9-0.


The right hander struck out three and allowed just a single hit through five innings for the black and orange who won their third game in a row following the Wednesday afternoon double header sweep of Quebec. Matt Giusti, in his first relief appearance of the year, economically swept through the rest of the Skyhawk lineup and picked up the long save with four innings of shutout baseball.


Ryan Crespi began the big fifth with a single, was moved over by Mike Baillargeon, and scored on Stantrel Smith's first of a three hit tilt. Nick Salotti picked him up on a single and then with two on Mark Minicozzi went yard for the fifth time this season. The three run slam was the first HR this year that wasn't a solo performance. Worcester would tack on a three spot in the seventh with the help of Chris Colabello's twelfth two-bagger of the first half that scored two. Smith added the final nail in the coffin with an RBI double in the eighth.


Dan Berlind (2-2) was tagged with his second loss of the season for Sussex. For the second time the tall righty was roughed up by Worcester, coughing up five runs and seven hits over five innings. Michael Streaman, Jared Locke, and Donald Jordat followed.


Tomorrow in Sussex County Chris Farley (5-3) will take the ball after his emotional start on Greg Montalbano Night. Ed Ott and the Skyhawks will counter with RHP Mike Vicaro (2-2). First pitch is at 6:05pm with coverage beginning on AM 830 WCRN at 7pm.