Gabelsville's rally in 5th ties Limeport

Limeport wasted a 9-5 lead forged with a six-run fifth inning.


By Bradley Schlegel
Special to The Morning Call

 

Limeport was an out away from a win in the Tri-County League championship series Wednesday. But pitcher Chad Arnold got wild and Gabelsville scored four runs to force a 9-9 tie.

The Owls' fifth-inning rally means that both teams must return at 5:45 today to Lee Mecherly Field to replay the game in its entirety.

Limeport (26-12) was poised to take a 1-0 lead in the best-of- three series. The Bulls led 9-5 after scoring six runs in the in the fifth.

Arnold, the Bulls pitcher, retired the first two hitters he faced in the bottom of the fifth.

"I kind of figured the game was ours," Limeport manager Bill Fatzinger said. "I think we all did."

Then Arnold allowed seven straight baserunners. He walked four and hit two.

Matt Danner registered the only hit of the inning, an infield single which brought Gabelsville (30-5) within 9-8. Bob Graber was hit by a pitch to force in the tying run.

"It was tough to watch," said Fatzinger, Limeport's center fielder. "I don't like to complain about the umpires, but the guy behind the plate missed some calls.

"With every hitter, you could see (Arnold) get more and more frustrated. But there was nothing we could do about it."

The Bulls had bullpen action during the rally. But Fatzinger said he didn't want to bring a reliever into a tough spot.

"Chad was going to be the guy," he said. "The guys who were warming up need a few hitters to get loose. But with the bases loaded I didn't have that luxury."

The Owls didn't have much of a margin of error after committing two errors in the top of the fifth that led to three unearned runs.

Limeport strung together five straight base runners off Gabelsville starting pitcher Justin Konnick. Glenn Bubser capped the rally with a two-run single.

"I was surprised how we played in the top of the fifth," Owls manager Mike Moyer said. "We were pretty bad. We gave them six outs."

Gabelsville put together just one comeback this season. It scored seven runs in the seventh to beat Jordan Creek 7-5.

"We've been getting ahead," Moyer said. "I wasn't sure that we could come back (against Limeport).

"But Arnold seemed a little rattled. He was struggling to throw strikes, and we are a pretty patient team at the plate."

Fatzinger said Limeport must continue its consistent hitting. He and Glenn Kushma each had three hits. Jim Schaffer, Bubser and Jon- Michael Vito added two.

"We can do one of two things," Fatzinger said. "Either fold or come back and keep hitting. If we do that I think we'll be fine."

Jeff Evans led Gabelsville with two hits, including a two-run home run in the first, and four RBIs.


Limeport      030 06 -- 9 15 0

Gabelsville    301 14 -- 9  9  4


Arnold and Vito; Konnick, Graber (5) and Danner. HR -- G: Evans (1st, 1 on).



Bradley Schlegel is a freelance writer.
 

From The Morning Call -- August 12, 1999

Copyright © 1999, The Morning Call