Limeport blanks Angels in Tri-Co

By Ernie Long
Of The Morning Call


Maybe two of Limeport's three runs were unearned and maybe Limeport, a perennial Tri-County power, is barely over the .500 mark for only the first time all season. But the way things have been going, Limeport player-manager Ish Fatzinger will gladly accept yesterday's 3-0 win over the Northern Division rival Allentown Angels at Scherersville.

"We're not beating any fences down this year," said Fatzinger. "We're scrambling to get runs any way we can and have had a tough time getting out of the gate."

On the other side of the diamond, the Angels (who had a chance to tie Limeport for third but instead dropped to 4-7) were blowing their chances.

"We really lost it when we didn't score with the bases loaded and no outs in the fourth," said Allentown manager Ray Ganser. "Usually we have plenty of hitting, but the pitching doesn't hold up. Today it was just the opposite as our pitching was perfect and we just didn't score any runs."

Limeport took a little tip from the St. Louis Cardinals and used opportunistic base-running to up its record to 6-5. In the fourth, shortstop Dale Weiss chopped a lead-off double which bounded over Angel counterpart Joe Aleszczyk's head. Catcher Tom Levy promptly lofted a fly ball to advance Weiss to third and center fielder Herb Hemerly flew to right for the winning RBI. Weiss tested Steve Whipple's arm on both advances. Whipple's last throw would probably have gunned down Weiss at the plate, but first baseman Dave Chapman decided to relay the ball and Weiss scored easily.

That run was all that Limeport hurler Bill Fatzinger would need as he quelled any Angel uprising.

"We needed for someone like this to come in," said Ish of his son Bill. "He's been playing outfield all year, but he wanted the ball today. The most important thing is he didn't hurt himself."

Fatzinger fanned six batters and allowed just two walks in the complete- game, seven-hit shutout. His toughest time came in the fourth when Dale Krasley and Bill Harries singled and Jim Potocne bunted his way on to load the bases. Undaunted, Fatzinger whiffed Steve Reiland, got Mike Hanna to foul out to right field, and fielded lead-off man Rick Wittman's (2-for-4) bouncer back to the mound.

Fatzinger, who pitched during late innings for the Angels last year until Dave Lutte started playing for the team, had not thrown a pitch this season. But yesterday the left-hander threw his changeup as if he'd been tossing it all year.

"I was content with playing in the outfield, especially since the pitchers in this league don't get to bat. But our performance hasn't been that great this year and I figured that I'd like to contribute a little more."

Allentown pitcher Scott Buck wasn't too shabby, either. The strapping 6-5 right-hander struck out five and walked one in seven innings.

"My slider was definitely working for me today," said Buck. "If the other team's not hitting the ball hard, I figure I'm doing my job."

Limeport's second run came in the fifth when Lutte singled, moved to second on Bob Zelay's fielder's choice, and scored on an error on a ball hit by Jim Schaeffer (2-for-3, stolen base).

The final run was plated in the seventh. Zelay reached base on an error, Schaeffer singled and both advanced on a wild pitch. After Sedler's fly-ball out, Dale Weiss was intentionally walked to load the bases before Levy delivered a two-out RBI single. Schaeffer tried to score on the hit, but was nailed at the plate by right fielder Darren "Mookie" Smith's bullet.



  

From The Morning Call -- June 18, 1987

Copyright © 1987, The Morning Call