Limeport romps 12-4 to Tri-County crown

By Jeff Ziegler
Of The Morning Call


Limeport capitalized on four errors and eight Allentown walks to take a 12-4 win and the Tri-County League baseball championship last night at Limeport's Fegely Stadium.

Things looked bright early for Allentown (25-8) as Dave Lutte led off the second inning by hitting Carl Solarek's first pitch over the left-field fence for a homer.

But Limeport countered with seven runs in the bottom of the inning to seal the win early.

Jim Schaffer led off the inning with a a walk and Jack Goddess singled to left. John Szalachowski's sacrifice bunt moved the runners over to second and third with one out. Mark Somers then belted a two- run double to the left-field wall to drive in two runs.

The inning continued with more gifts form Allentown. Erick Dieter drew a walk and Chris Rios was hit in the head with a pitch to load the bases. John Evans walked to drive in the third run forcing Allentown's Todd Downing out of the game.

Ray Ganser came on to pitch and promptly forced Bill Coyle to hit a slow roller to third baseman Steve Neikam. Neikam threw the ball over catcher Rick Rothrock's head, allowing a run to score. Bill Fatzinger then belted a two- strike curveball to right-center for a two-run single for the 6-1 lead. After a fielder's choice by Schaffer, Fatzinger alertly scored from third when Ganser turned his back on the play.

Even with the early six-run cushion, coach Bill Fatzinger Sr., wasn't taking any chances.

"I don't take anything for granted," Limeport coach Bill Fatzinger said. "I knew we had to play and we played. They have nine guys that can hit it out of the park, I didn't feel comfortable till the last out was made. I'm just happy we got it done."

While Solarek was shutting the door on Allentown in the third, fourth and fifth innings, Limeport broke through again in the fourth inning for two more runs. Fatzinger Jr. led off the inning with a rope to center and Schaffer followed with a single to left.

Fatzinger, running the bases agressively, tore through second and headed to third. Leftfielder Dave Chapman's throw to third was off the line and Fatzinger scored easily. Schaffer scored the other run of the inning on a wild pitch.

Trailing 10-1, Allentown caused a small stir in the sixth inning with three runs.

Chapman led off the inning with a single to center and Lutte cracked an RBI double to the gap in left center. He moved to third on a wild pitch and scored on Mookie Smith's bloop single to left. Smith moved to second on a wild pitch and Neikam knocked him home with a seeing eye single to right field.

Limeport quelled all Allentown thoughts of a possible rally with two more runs in the sixth inning, again on gifts.

Eric Dieter reached first on what should have been a routine play by Ganser. But the Allentown hurler pulled firstbaseman Lutte off the bag for an error. Chris Rios followed with a single to center knocking Ganser out of the game. John Evans, batting against Mike Witkowski, hit an apparent double play ball to Neikam at third base. Neikam stepped on the bag at third and threw wildly to first base allowing Rios to score. Evans scored the final run of the game on a wild pitch.

For the game, Solarek allowed six hits and struck out three batters.

Fatzinger thoroughly enjoyed Solarek's performance on the mound and the season in general.

"I've had six straight outstanding pitching performances, they were all good, every one of them," Fatzinger said. "And super defense. Yes, baseball is fun again this year."



  

From The Morning Call -- August 14, 1988

Copyright © 1988, The Morning Call