WATERTOWN—A long bus ride on a hot and humid day proved to be the downfall of the Cooperstown baseball team's season as they lost an 8-1 decision to IHC-Watertown in a Section Three Class C semifinal game, here, Tuesday.

"It's not an excuse it's a fact," said Cooperstown baseball coach Frank Miosek after the game. "A three and a half hour bus ride was too much for us. I think we were physically drained and we just didn't have it today."

One player who did not seem to be affected was CCS junior Frank Petroskey, who singled in the top of the first inning, stole second and scored on Philip Pohl's single. Petroskey went 3-for-3 on the day, following a 5-for-5 day against Bishop Grimes in the quarterfinals.

"Frank is one of those players who always goes all out," Miosek said. "He tore a nail off a finger but it didn't faze him."

Junior Luke Banner, who tossed a shutout in an opening round win over Beaver River, took the loss Tuesday. Banner is one of a host of players who will return next season for the Redskins, who finished the season 16-6.

"We had a great turnaround from last season, and we had a tough schedule this year," Miosek said. "It was a great season."

The Redskins advanced to the semifinals with a thrilling, 10-9 victory at second seed Bishop Grimes on Saturday.

CCS jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first, only to see Grimes bounce back with seven runs in the bottom of the second inning. After the lead flip-flopped a couple of more times, the Redskins came to bat in the top of the seventh inning trailing 9-8.

After the first out was recorded, leadoff man Luke Banner worked a walk. Grimes brought in their top starter, Luke Pallone, to pitch to Frank Petroskey, who already had four hits on the day.

Petroskey lined the first pitch from Pallone to deep centerfield, scoring Banner with an RBI triple, his fifth hit of the day. Senior Andrew Pohl was next, and after taking two curveballs for strikes, he connected on an 0-2 fastball for a base hit to left field, scoring Petroskey with what proved to be the winning run.

The other hero for Cooperstown Saturday was sophomore Jim Fort, who relieved in the fourth inning and recorded the final 11 outs for the win.

"Jim has had an injury-riddled season, but he wanted the ball and was eager and ready to go," Miosek said. "He didn't seem nervous in the bottom of the seventh inning either, he was cool as a cucumber."

Philip Pohl had two doubles, Zack Sittler was 2-for-2 and Petroskey also had a double among his five hits to lead the Cooperstown offense.

Cooperstown's opening round victory over Beaver River Thursday was more of a pitcher's duel, with Banner pitching a complete game shutout, getting three hits, driving in two runs and scoring one.