"We were
hoping to win Game 2 so I could wait until Game Four to
pitch," said Bolasky. "It didn't work out that way, so I
pitched today. I was ready."
Two of
Limeport's reliable starters – Mike Orban and Anthony
Clemens – suffered season-ending arm injuries the past
few weeks. Someone had to emerge.
The
heroes came in bunches for Limeport. Designated Hitter
Brian Ernst had to play shortstop with the starter
unavailable. Ernst made eight plays without an error,
including two sensational stops and several long bullet
throws to first base.
Said
Bolasky, "I didn't even know he could throw like that."
Added
Gabelsville manager Matt Danner, "That shortstop made
every play. He didn't miss one. And we hit a lot of
balls hard right at people. We need to just put this
game behind us."
Though
they entered the game down two games in the series,
knowing a loss would end their season, Limeport and
player/manager Pat Lane weren't in panic mode. Before
the first pitch, Lane pulled his troops together and
reminded them that if not for two huge sixth innings by
Gabelsville in Games One and Two, the Bulls might be the
team up 2-0.
Limeport
(24-14) jumped ahead 4-0 after two innings to set the
tone. They tacked on four more in the seventh to suck
the drama from Mecherly Field.
Said
Lane, "It's a lot different being ahead of this team by
eight runs than by one or two."
Dan
Hemberger, Tyler Lehman, Cary Zimmerman and Lane each
drove in two runs for Limeport. Lehman and Zimmerman
each scored twice in a 12-hit attack against three
Gabelsville pitchers.
Scott
Garger, Lehman and Lane each had a pair of hits.
Gabelsville (29-8) didn't go quietly. The Owls scored
yet another sixth-inning run, then added two more in the
seventh off Bolasky. Dan Hemberger replaced Bolasky with
one out and two runners aboard. He induced two
groundouts to end the game.
Shawn
Betz and Dan Pierce led the Owls with two hits and two
runs batted in each. Pierce did it with two hits with
the added pressure of his young nephews chanting "Uncle
Dan, Uncle Dan, use your power hits" from behind home
plate.
Limeport
will turn to Ryan Walter to pitch tonight. The
Quakertown High product has played the field this year
but injuries and a deep staff have kept him from the
mound, according to Lane.
Gabelsville will turn to Brock Laubenstine (5-1).
Neither
pitcher has faced his finals opponent during the season.
Limeport Bulls 040 020 4 — 10 13
1
Gabelsville Owls 000 101 2 — 4 7
4
Bolasky,
Hemberger (7th) and Swatsky. Konnick, Mayza (6th),
Stapleton (7th) and Zakszeski. W—Bolasky (8-2). L—Konnick
(5-2).
2B: L-Hemberger;
G-Pierce. HBP: L-Zimmerman by Konnick; G-Umstead by
Bolasky, Kalejta by Bolasky, Schwager by Bolasky. DP:
L-1; G-1. CS: G-Sullivan by Swatsky. SB: L-Cudwadie.
