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Gabelsville deadlocks
Tri-County final series 2-2
The Owls' Shawn Betz pitches a
3-hitter to beat Limeport and force Game 5.
By Bradley Schlegel
Special to The Morning Call
Instead
of throwing their ace pitcher, the Limeport Bulls turned to little-used
left-hander Joe Pochron Thursday. They were saving Chris Arnold for a
possible Game 5.
Arnold
will get the chance to pitch after the Gabelsville Owls won 6-0 in the
Tri-County League championship series.
The
series, tied 2-2, returns to Limeport Stadium at 7:30 p.m. today for the
fifth and deciding game.
Shawn
Betz allowed just three hits in six innings and Greg Gilbert added three
hits for the Owls at Lee Mecherly Field.
"I like
our chances," Limeport manager Scott Heppenheimer said.
The
Bulls are 19-0 at home this season, and especially tough with Arnold on the
mound. Heppenheimer, looking for someone to pitch, chose Pochron.
But the
left-hander from Moravian College had only pitched three innings this
summer. The inactivity showed.
Pochron
couldn't get his curveball over, and Gablesville (33-6) took advantage,
collecting 10 hits.
"I just
wanted to throw strikes," Pochron said. "Let them hit the ball, and hope we
catch it.
Gilbert
drove in three runs, including a two-run home run in the fourth inning. Jeff
Evans added a two-run double in the third.
Limeport's choice of starting pitcher surprised Owls manager Mike Moyer. He
expected the Bulls (32-6) to go with their best.
"I was
shocked when I heard Pochron was pitching," Moyer said. "I would have gone
for the jugular."
Betz, a
Boyertown High graduate, dominated the Bulls. He scattered three singles
while striking out two.
Moyer
called it one of Betz's best outings of the season.
"Shawn
did a good job hitting his spots," Moyer said. "He did a great job.
Hopefully, whoever pitches (today ) will do as well."
Limeport
seemed to have momentum, and a 2-1 series lead, after a 6- 4 victory
Wednesday, but on Thursday, the Owls had all the enthusiasm. Matt Danner's
two-out single scored Gilbert to give the team a 1-0 lead in the first
inning.
"That
really set the tone," Pochron said.
Limeport,
meanwhile, struggled offensively. It managed just six baserunners. Pochron
finished with two hits.
"We just
didn't hit," Heppenheimer said. "You've got to score at least five or six
runs to beat Gablesville."
Limeport
000 000 0 -- 0 3 0
Gablesville 102 210 x -- 6 10 2
Pochron,
Witt (6) and Vito. Betz, Guiseppe (7) and Fox. W-Betz. L- Pochron. HR:
G-Gilbert (4th, 1 on).
Bradley Schlegel is a freelance writer.
From The Morning Call --
August 18, 2000
Copyright
© 2000,
The Morning Call
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