ICC surprises Gabelsville 3-1

Scott Stewart tosses 5-hitter as the Pirates knock off the #1 seed to open the Semis.

By Josh Goodin

    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.