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Owls pound Pirates 10-2
Justin Konnick strikes out 9 and goes
the distance to even the series at 1-1.
BETHLEHEM TOWNSHIP -- Justin Konnick tossed a six-hitter as the Gabelsville Owls beat the ICC Pirates 10-2
to even their playoff series at one game apiece. Konnick struck out nine
batters (at least one every inning) and didn't walk any batters in the complete
game effort.
Gabelsville
led from the start of the game, getting two unearned runs in the first inning
off starter Ryan Lindley. After getting Rodney Miller to ground out to start
the game, Lindley gave up back-to-back singles to Al Fitch and Greg Gilbert.
Right fielder Dave Stauffer misplayed Gilbert's single into a two-base error,
scoring Fitch. Gilbert scored on Bob Graber's grounder to shortstop.
Dave Pence
homered in the second inning to put Gabelsville ahead 3-0. In the third inning
the Owls added two more runs. Fitch hit a two-out double, then Gilbert followed
with an infield single. Fitch scored as the lead runner on a double steal, then
Drew Hoffman hit an RBI double over the head of A.J. Peracchia in center field
for a 5-0 lead.
ICC got on
the board with a lone run in the fourth inning. Konnick hit Josh Mohlmann to
lead off the inning. Peracchia followed with a single. After Chad Waelchli
struck out, Stauffer hit an RBI double with Peracchia holding at third base.
Stauffer was picked off at second, then Cory Schneck grounded out to end the
inning.
Lindley
settled down after the third inning, throwing three innings of no-hit ball
afterwards. He finished the game with six strikeouts, one each inning, and one walk. He
pitched a perfect sixth inning, highlighted by catcher Kyle Ruff's diving catch
in the dirt of Steve Gabel's pop-up on a bunt attempt.
Lindley was
relieved by Marty Rowan in seventh inning. Rowan got Jeff Chillot to ground to
first base for the first out, then things went downhill. Miller struck out on a
wild pitch and was safe at first. After Fitch was called out on strikes,
Gilbert was safe at first on an error. Graber walked and the bases were loaded
with Owls. Hoffman roped a two run single into left field to make it 7-1. Gabel
walked to reload the bases, then Pence hit a ground ball to shortstop. Chad
Stecker's errant throw to second base prolonged the Pirates' misery as three
runs scored and Pence was safe at third. The inning came to a merciful end when
Todd Stapleton grounded to Stecker at shortstop.
ICC tried to start a late rally in the bottom of the inning.
With two out, Schneck doubled to center. Ruff hit in single into right, sending
Schneck to third. He scored on Tony D'Amico's double, but pinch hitter Len
Melton ended the game on a fly to center.
Gabelsville's offensive stars were Fitch, Gilbert,
and Drew Hoffman with two hits each. Gilbert
also scored three runs, Fitch scored twice, and Hoffman knocked in three. Tony D'Amico
was ICC's lone player with multiple
hits. Game Three is Sunday evening at 5 p.m. at Gabelsville.
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