Limeport rallies to hand Coplay Tri-Co loss

By Jack Lapos
Of The Morning Call


Limeport moved to within a game and a half of first place in the Northern Division of the Tri-County League last night by winning at Coplay 7-5, but don't think for a moment the Limeport club has finally reached its peak.

"We are still far away from any peak," Manager Ishky Fatzinger said. "In fact I would say we have a long way to go.

"However," he added with a smile, "I must say we definitely are beginning to jell and I hope we can string a couple more wins together."

As the season moves past its halfway mark, Coplay has a 10-2 record and Limeport is 9-4. It's interesting to note that both of Coplay's defeats have come at the hands of Limeport.

"We lost this one just the way we lost that last one at Limeport," Coplay Manager Bob Bartholomew lamented. "One big inning again killed us."

Last night one big inning did indeed lead to Coplay's doom. It was the fifth when Limeport came up with five runs on only two hits. Four walks hurt Coplay badly.

Coplay never really recovered as Limeport's veteran righthander Joe Turri managed to go the seven-inning distance. He gave up nine hits while fanning five and walking six.

"Joe hung in there when he had to," Fatzinger pointed out. "It was a nice job of pitching."

Limeport collected only five hits off a pair of enemy hurlers. Coplay starter Jim Emerick lasted four and two-third innings. During that time the usually effective righthander surrendered four hits while striking out five and issuing five bases on balls.

Rich Fenstermaker, also a righthander, finished up. While giving up only one hit he fanned one and walked two.

The big blow of the game came in the fourth inning when Limeport's Herb Hemerly, one of the hardest hitters in the entire Lehigh Valley, got a hold of an Emerick fast balland blasted it over the left- center fence near the 360- foot sign.

"I was looking for a fast ball and I got it," the happy Hemerly said. "As soon as I connected I knew the ball was going out of the park." This was his second homer of the season.

Hemerly also had a double and walked once. Still he praised Emerick.

"Emerick is a tough pitcher," Hemerly said.

The game was full of ups and downs.

Coplay gained an early 1-0 lead on a Lou Falco RBI single. The home team made it 3-0 in the second inning on a two-run single by Chuck Mondschein.

That set the stage for Hemerly's home run in the fourth. In the bottom of the frame, Coplay bounced back for a run on an RBI single by Jim Murtaugh and it was a 4-2 game.

Up came Limeport in the fifth. Eleven men went to bat and before the dust was settled, Emerick was out of the game in favor of Fenstermaker.

The contest's final run was scored by Coplay in the bottom of the fifth when Randy Remaly walked with two out and the bases loaded. Turri then regained his control and got Chuck Mondschein to pop out to first base.

Coplay threatened in the seventh. The home team had two runners on base with two out. However, Turri struck out Remaly to end the game.

"We still have another shot at them during the regular schedule," Coplay skipper Bartholomew indicated. He said his club has no intention of surrendering to anybody.

"Hey, we are still in first place," he exclaimed.



  

From The Morning Call -- June 21, 1985

Copyright © 1985, The Morning Call