Limeport advances to Tri-County finals

Chad Arnold throws another two-hitter in 6-0 victory over Lehigh Twp.


By Keith Groller
Of The Morning Call

 

Lehigh Township received good pitching throughout its Tri-County League semifinal series against Limeport.

But great pitching beats good pitching, and that's why the Bulls are going on to the Tri-Co championship series and the Brewers are going on vacation.

Chad Arnold's second two-hit shutout of the series highlighted Limeport's 6-0 series-clinching win Tuesday night in Berlinsville that sends the regular-season champs back to the Tri-Co finals for the second straight year and fifth time in six seasons.

The Bulls (30-4) will play Gabelsville (31-4) in a rematch of last year's title series won by the Owls.

The best-of-5 finals begin at 7:30 Saturday night in Limeport. Game 2 will follow Sunday in Gabelsville.

With three days off between series, both pitching staffs should be well rested. And that means more bad news for hitters.

Even though Limeport finally broke through for six runs after being held to nine through the first three games of the series, the Bulls are hardly bashing the ball. They made the most of six hits off surprise Lehigh Township starter Brandon Leslie.

"Our pitchers carried us in this series," said Limeport center fielder Pete Remaly, who had two hits, including a home run. "Their pitchers pitched well. Our guys just rose to the occasion and lifted us up."

No one shouldered more of the load than Arnold, the Bull lefty who tossed 15 scoreless innings in gaining all three Limeport wins.

He didn't feel especially strong Tuesday night.

"I didn't feel like I had a lot of pop," he said. "I just hit my spots. I moved the ball in and out. I wasn't overpowering. I only had three strikeouts. They hit the ball, but our guys made the plays."

Arnold retired the first 10 batters he faced before hitting Steve Smull with a pitch with one out in the fourth.

"I just wanted to come inside on him, and it just kept coming and never tailed back," Arnold said. "I didn't want to do that."

Arnold still had a no-hitter until Eric Faisetty lined a single to left to start the sixth. But he was erased on a double play before Omar Torres plopped a hit into right-center later in the inning for the Brewers' only other hit.

Arnold finished strong, getting the Brewers 1-2-3 in the seventh.

"I was aware I had the no-hitter going, but I just wanted the win and the shutout," Arnold said. "I was just happy to see us score some runs."

But Limeport didn't exactly make enough noise with the aluminum to stir the patrons at the nearby Berlinsville Hotel or Becky's Drive- In.

The Bulls used a single, two walks and a fielder's choice to plate a run in the third.

Remaly's home run to left made it 2-0 in the fourth. Limeport scored a run without a hit in the fifth, getting the tally on a third- strike wild pitch.

A walk by Remaly, a stolen base and a two-out RBI single by Jonmichael Vito (2-for-2) made it 4-0 in the sixth. Two unearned runs capped the scoring in the seventh.

"At least some guys who weren't hitting hit the ball hard, so that's a good sign," said Limeport manager Scott Heppenheimer. "And with Chad pitching, all you want is three or four runs and you're usually going to win."

Lehigh Township, limited to six runs and 14 hits in the four-game series,, tipped its cap to Limeport's arm strength. Brewer skipper Shawn Andrews didn't regret his decision not to use ace pitcher Josh Friebolin.

"He pitched 17 innings in a week, and the last thing I want to do is ruin his arm, because he's still a young man," Andrews said after his team finished 21-16. "Brandon threw a great game for us, but we didn't make all the plays behind him. It didn't matter because we didn't score.

"But I'm still proud of our season," he said. "We only need to add a couple of pieces and we'll be back here next year."


Limeport              001 111 2 -- 6 6 0

Lehigh Township  000 000 0 -- 0 2 1


Arnold and Vito; Leslie and Andrews. HR: Limeport, Remaly (4th, 0 on).



keith.groller@mcall.com

610-820-6740

From The Morning Call -- August 9, 2000

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