Ryan's Rangers clean up Stahley's 6-2, tie series

By Keith Groller
Of The Morning Call


With his uniform and face covered with dirt, Ryan Fox looked like he belonged in a laundry detergent commercial after Gilbertsville's 6-2 win over Stahley's Angels last night in Scherersville.

His Rangers had delivered another kind of commercial message, however, in knotting up the best-of-three Tri-County League Seasonal Championship Series at 1-1. That message -- we're baaack!

One night after having their six-game winning streak over Stahley's snapped, the Rangers started a new one behind a masterful four-hitter by ace Chris Ludy and a 12-hit offensive display.

If Gilbertsville can extend its winning streak to two at 5:30 tonight at their Boyertown Junior High East Field, it will also own the Tri-Co's league title for the sixth time in the last eight years.

"We did what we had to do tonight and now we've got another chance back at our place," said Fox, who had two hits and scored a run in the sixth inning when his team broke open a 2-2 tie with four scores.

"We struggled in the early innings again tonight, and we weren't too happy getting behind this team 2-0 like we did because they are deep in pitching. Fortunately, Chris pitched a real good game for us - - only giving up two unearned runs -- and we were finally able to get him some runs."

The Angels, who scored the last five runs in Friday's 5-3 Game 1 win, kept the momentum on their side early with a pair of runs in the second inning. A dropped ball at first base with two out opened the door for Greg Wotring's two-run double.

The Rangers, limited to just one run over their last eight innings, got things rolling in the third when Marty Bauer singled in a run and Greg Gilbert's sacrifice fly tied it. It stayed even at two until the sixth when Jeff Evans led off with a booming double.

"That was a dumb pitch by me," said Angles' pitcher-manager Ray Ganser. "I thought for sure he'd be thinking curveball and our catcher called for a curve. But I threw a fastball and I put it in the wrong spot. I wasn't on top of my game and they took advantage of everything like the good team they are."

Evans moved to third on a wild pitch and scored the go-ahead run on Fox's chop single to deep short. Gilbertsville wasn't done, however.

Kevin Gilbert's two-run single made it 5-2 and Bauer closed the 10- batter, five-hit uprising with his second run-scoring single of the night.

Ludy, meanwhile, gave up just two hits after the second inning. He didn't issue a walk after the first, but did hit a batter in the seventh. That runner was wiped out by the Rangers' second double play of the game.

"The heat didn't bother me; in fact, I felt stronger over the last three innings after being a little shaky early in the game," said Ludy. "I couldn't get my curve over early and that's the secret in this or any league. You can't win with a fastball. I got my curve over later in the game and was getting ahead in the count. That's all there is to it, really.

"It was only a matter of time until we started hitting. We finally exploded there in the sixth and gave me a little cushion. Now, we've got to keep it going."

Ed Jones is the expected hurler for the Angels (22-10) as they go for the team's first Tri-Co title ever. Gilbertsville (26-6) will count on Kevin Mackey. This is the game both clubs want, even though they both advance to the league's post-season tourney.

"This is the title you want, especially this year the way the league was so balanced with so many good teams," said Fox. "The regular season championship means more in our eyes. We're happy to be home, but they showed they can win at our place the other night. It's one game for it all and it should be exciting."



keith.groller@mcall.com

From The Morning Call -- August 4, 1991

Copyright © 1991, The Morning Call