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ICC surprises Gabelsville 3-1
Scott Stewart tosses 5-hitter as the
Pirates knock off the #1 seed to open the Semis.
GABELSVILLE --
Scott Stewart
tossed a five-hitter, holding the top of the Gabelsville Owls' order hitless,
as the ICC Pirates stayed hot and beat them 3-1 to open the best of five
semi-final series. Stewart struck out seven and walked five in the complete game
performance. He was matched pitch-for-pitch by hard-luck loser Matt Melcher,
who struck out six, walked one, and allowed eight hits
over seven innings.
The Pirates
gave Stewart all the runs he would need in the first inning. Chad Stecker and
Josh Mohlmann singled right away to start the game. A mishandled ball on a
fielder's choice brought Stecker home, then Mohlmann scored on Dave Stauffer's
RBI single.
In
Gabelsville's half of the second inning, they cut their defecit in half after
Jeff Evans drew a leadoff walk. Stewart got Kyle Hoffman to strike out, but
then gave up a single to Steve Gabel and an RBI double to Drew Hoffman.
Neither
team did anything offensively until Stewart got into a major jam in the fifth
inning. A.J. Bohn drew a leadoff walk, then stole second. Al Fitch laid down a
bunt to sacrifice him to third. Greg Gilbert got on board with another free
pass, then swiped second also. Evans drew yet another walk to load the bases, then was replaced by
Justin Konnick. Kyle Hoffman hit a one-hopper back to the mound, and Stewart
was able to retire Bohn at the plate, but catcher Kyle Ruff's relay to first
was in the dirt. Gabel struck out to end the scoring threat.
Stewart got
out of another jam in the sixth inning. Todd Stapleton and Rodney Miller hit
one-out singles with the top of the order to follow. But Stewart got lucky when
Bohn chopped a grounder back to him for a 1-5-3 double play.
ICC added
an insurance run in the top of the seventh. Cory Schneck walked to lead off,
then was replaced by Len Melton. Melton took second on a sacrifice, then scored
when Stecker roped a double into center field.
Only two
batters had multiple hits. Chad Stecker had four hits, a run scored, and an RBI
for the Pirates. For the Owls, Todd Stapleton had two hits.
Game Two of
this best of five series is set for August 3 at Bethlehem Township Park at
5:00. The Owls will try to escape being buried in a hole at 0-2, while the
Pirates will look to continue their hot hitting and solid pitching.
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