Remaly's 4 RBIs spur ICC to 11-5 romp over Gabelsville

Pirates fall behind 4-0 early, but a 6-run 2nd inning turns game around.


By Ted Meixell
Of The Morning Call

 

ICC had a hatful of reasons to consider its 11-5 Tri-County League triumph over invading Gabelsville Sunday evening a big one.

It was a come-from-behind effort; the Owls jumped to a quick 4-0 lead on back-to-back solo home runs by eventual losing pitcher Shawn Betz and Greg Gilbert in the first inning and two more runs in the second on A.J. Bohn's RBI-single and Bob Graber's steal of home.

Gabelsville is a frequent Tri-Co champion, a perennial contender. And the Owls (6-2) arrived in Bethlehem Township a half game behind Cetronia in the West-South Division.

Gabelsville swept ICC last year.

All of the above.

"Biggest game I've had in two years with ICC," agreed feisty second baseman Nick Remaly, who contributed four RBIs to the comeback. Two of those came courtesy of a double in the middle of a six-run second-inning outburst, two more on a single in the fifth after Gabelsville had crept to within 6-5.

"A big win. Gabelsville always has good players, and they swept us last year, so it was important for us to beat them the first time we played this year.

"We kept our heads up when they jumped ahead. We had a good pitcher going for us. We knew he'd throw strikes and get us outs. We just had to hit for him."

They did.

That pitcher, by the way, was Pottsville native Sean Holden -- a Bloomsburg mound mate of Betz. He held the Owls hitless over the last five innings and struck out eight. He now has two wins and a save for the Pirates (7-2), who began Sunday tied for second place in the East-Central Division with Limeport, behind the Tri-City Fleetwings.

Holden was in total control once Remaly, Brent Fehnel (3-for-5, triple, three RBIs), Garen Danyi (3-for-4, triple, RBI), Kyle Ruff (2-for-4, solo homer, two RBIs), Chris Medei (2-for-3, double, RBI) et al got him the lead.

"There's not much available near Pottsville in the summer other than softball," Holden said, "and one adult (hardball) league that's not very good.

"I was going to play in a summer league for Palmyra (near Hershey), but that league doesn't play on the weekend. I'm doing an internship in Washington, D.C., so I need to play weekends."

"Rough start today, that's for sure! But these guys got me back in it."

Holden's earlier win was over Limeport, and he saved a 3-0 win over South Whitehall.

Pirates skipper Mike Brocious will be happy to hand him the ball any time he makes the long trek up from D.C.



ted.meixell@mcall.com

From The Morning Call -- June 7, 1999

Copyright © 1999, The Morning Call