Coplay's Falco chills Limeport 4-2 in Tri-Co

By Jack Lapos
Of The Morning Call


Yesterday was a steaming hot day. So Lou Falco decided not to go to work but rather spend the afternoon relaxing at a golf course.

He headed for Twin Lakes, took his time playing 18 holes and wound up with a 91 score. Then he put on his baseball uniform and moved on to Limeport Stadium.

When he got there Falco was a bit surprised when told by Coplay Manager Dick Hamscher he would be the starting pitcher against Limeport in the opener of their best-of-three semifinal playoff series in the Tri-County League.

Wouldn't you know it. Falco managed to stay totally relaxed and chalked up a 4-2 win, surrendering only six hits while striking out two and walking three. His team played errorless baseball behind him.

"Yes, I did feel good out there on the mound," the 27-year-old lefthander said with a smile after the victory which boosted Coplay's overall record to 18-13.

Falco, a former pitcher at Central Catholic and Kutztown University and now in his eighth year in the league, said his curve and fast ball were working well. He did have a bit of a control problem at first but that changed as the game moved along.

He was quick to point out that the Coplay club overall is now playing better than ever. It's a young team that shows promise for many years to come," Falco observed.

Manager Hamscher certainly agreed with Falco that the Coplay team is getting better and better.

"When we were in last place in our division earlier this summer I said we would develop into a good club," Hamscher noted. "Now I think our guys are playing so well that we even have a chance to win the playoff championship.

"I am delighted with how well our kids are playing together and give Lou a lot of credit for the way he pitched in this game," the manager said. "Lou pitched a great game - a smart one."

Coplay never trailed after jumping into a quick 1-0 lead on singles by Chuck Mondschein, Billy Pugh and Falco himself in the first frame.

The visitors boosted their advantage to 3-0 in the third. Randy Remaly walked. So did Dan Baranek. Pugh singled across a run and Billy Erie singled across another.

Limeport, now 19-9 for the season, came back with a run in the bottom of the third on singles by John Szalachowski, Billy Fatzinger and Dale Weiss.

Coplay then made it 4-1 in the sixth when Falco walked, was sacrificed to second by Erie and sent home on a single by Mark Bonshak.

The final run of the contest came in the last of the sixth when Limeport bounced back. Bob Fatzinger singled. Mike Witkowski singled. Manager Ishky Fatzinger walked. Szalachowski drew a walk to make the score 4-2. Falco then got Billy Fatzinger to fly out to end the rally.

Billy Fatzinger, a southpaw, pitched the distance for the home team, surrendering seven hits while striking out one and walking four. Limeport also did not commit an error.

All 13 hits in the game were singles.

The teams will meet again at 8 o'clock tonight in Coplay.

TRI-COUNTY LEADERS

Joe Turri, who helped Limeport A.A. to its division championship in the Tri-County Baseball League, has won the pitching title for the third consecutive season and the fourth time in eight years, accoring to statistics released by Leo Williams, league statistician,

Turri, former Central Catholic and Bloomsburg standout, compiled a 7-0 record this season for the North Division champion. He now has a 21-1 league mark over the three years of his current streak and a 57- 17 record in nine years in the league.

Bob Graber, who was a kind of Mr. Everything for Upper Perk, has been named Most Valuable Player in the league. For the year, he compiled a 7-1 record with a league-best earned run average of 2.31 and 52 strikeouts, third best. He finished fifth in batting average with .418, was the runs batted in leader with 38, tied for the lead in triples with four and was tied for second in home runs with six.

Other statistical leaders for the season were: Bill Pugh of Coplay, batting with a .486 average; Jeff Evans of Gilbertsville, home runs with seven; Dale Weiss of Limeport, doubles with 13; Bill Sassaman of Gilbertsville, runs scored with 31; and Jim Emerick of Coplay, strikeouts with 67.



  

From The Morning Call -- August 9, 1984

Copyright © 1984, The Morning Call