South pitching keys 6-5 win

By Jack Lapos
Of The Morning Call


The South nipped the North 6-5 in the annual Tri-County League All- Star Game last night in Limeport, but don't think for a moment the players on the victorious team did not get a big kick out of winning the game.

"Sure, it may not count in the standings but there is a lot of pride involved and I know our guys really wanted to come out on top," exclaimed manager Bill Solivan of Upper Perk.

"I am particularly happy with the camaraderie displayed by my squad," Solivan continued. "It certainly was not looked upon as just another game."

Solivan said he felt going into the contest that his team's strength was pitching, and it certainly turned out that way. He used seven pitchers in the nine-inning grind and they combined to hold the North to only four hits and one earned run.

Starter Kevin Mackey of Gilbertsville was the winning pitcher. He also was picked for the "Best Pitcher Award." He retired all six batters he faced.

Following him to the mound were George Becker of Del Valley, Don Rosenberger of Old Zionsville, Bob Graber of Upper Perk, Bob Tisdale of Quakertown, Scott Davis of Quakertown and Tim Fox of Upper Perk.

Graber was named "Most Valuable Player." In addition to the one hitless and scoreless inning he hurled, he came up with four runs batted in.

"There definitely was a lot of pride involved in this game," pitcher- third baseman Graber pointed out. "Our guys really wanted to win and I certainly am happy we did."

The North, managed by Ishky Fatzinger of Limeport, used six pitchers and they gave up a total of 14 hits including two apiece by Bill Sassaman of Gilbertsville, Brian Gilbert, also of Gilbertsville, and Tom Boice of Silver Creek. Center fielder Sassaman also played an outstanding game on defense.

The losing pitcher was starter Roger Schlener of Limeport, who surrendered two runs and three hits in the two innings he worked. After him came Tom Emerick of Coplay, Tom Golden of Salisbury, Bill Sandt of Limeport, Keith Myers of the Allentown Angels and Mike Witkowski of Limeport.

Lou Falco of Coplay was the only North player with more than one hit. He had two, including a double in the seventh which was the North's first hit of the game.

The South was ahead 1-0 in the first, 2-0 in the second, 4-0 in the third, 5-0 in the fourth and 6-0 in the top of the seventh before the North came up with four unearned runs in the bottom of the seventh.

The final run of the contest was scored by the North in the eighth on consecutive singles by Bill Fatzinger of Limeport, Falco and Dale Weiss of Limeport. Fox then bore down and escaped with no further damage. Tim, in his two innings, registered four of the South staff's 11 strikeouts.

The crowd was estimated at 300, and the new Limeport lighting system went over big.

"I hope everybody had a good time because I did," South skipper Solivan said with a smile.



  

From The Morning Call -- July 14, 1984

Copyright © 1984, The Morning Call