|
Dale Weiss may have gone out
in style for Stahley's
Tri-County League's hit leader with over
600 adds 2 more and 4 RBIs.
By Keith Groller
Of The Morning Call
They
should have filmed a Disney World commercial Thursday night after Stahley's
10-3 Tri-County League win over Jordan Creek at Scherersville.
While "When You Wish Upon a Star" played in the background, a voice could
have said, "Dale Weiss, you've become the Tri-County's all-time hit leader
with over 600 hits; you hit two home runs and drove in four runs in what was
possibly your last game. What are you going to do next?"
And
Weiss could have responded, "I'm going to Disney World."
In
what may have been his last game, Weiss had two hits and four RBIs to lead
his team to a key win in its fight for one of the remaining Tri-Co playoff
spots.
Stahley's (15-12) is locked in a tussle with ICC and the Northern Yankees
for one of the Tri-Co's final playoff spots. Seven teams qualify for the
postseason.
But
Stahley's won't have Weiss for its last five regular season games since he
is going on a family vacation to Disney, beginning Saturday. And the 19-year
Tri-Co vet is planning to call it quits at the end of the year, so
Thursday's game may have been his last.
"Every game is like a playoff game the rest of the way, so I was glad I was
able to contribute before I left," said Weiss, who drilled a three-run homer
in the first inning and a solo shot in the third.
"Plus, we really needed this one after a tough loss to Milford (Wednesday).
We've got some tough teams to play in these last five games. But hopefully,
these guys can get into the playoffs. And if we do, we can make some hay
with our pitching staff."
Stahley's got a strong pitching effort by lefty Shawn Cadden, who shut down
his former teammates on six hits. Frank Johnson had three of them, including
a two-run home run in the first.
"Shawn was pumped up tonight for his former team, but he gets pumped up for
everyone," said Stahley's manager Matt Hlay. "He's got a good fastball, but
he doesn't try to blow people away. He's got a big, hooking curve and a
tight slider. He threw the offspeed stuff for strikes."
Hlay
likes his pitching. And the offense, which sputtered early, has come to
life. Besides Weiss, Mookie Smith stood out with two hits and two RBIs and
Dan Schmidt hit a two-run homer.
The
key, however, is defense. Stahley's made seven errors Wednesday, but one vs.
the Gators.
"We're really going to miss Dale over these next five games," Hlay said.
"We're trying to talk him out of retiring. Five years from now, he'll still
be better than a lot of shortstops in our league. He makes up for what he's
lost physically with his smarts. Hopefully, he's not done yet."
keith.groller@mcall.com
From The Morning Call --
July 17, 1998
Copyright
© 1998,
The Morning Call
|
