The Tyrone Legion, missing three starters including their two top hitters according to batting average heading into the game, faced a tough situation Thursday in that they had to play Hoss’s, a team fighting for its playoff life, without burning through any pitchers that may pitch in today’s playoff game against Martin Oil.
Tyrone struck for six early runs, but the result was predictable. The makeshift pitching staff couldn’t hold back Hoss’s, who put up 10 runs in the second inning on their way to a 16-6 mercy-rule victory.
The 10-run inning was highlighted by a towering Barry Smith grand slam that shifted the score from 8-6 to 12-6 in an instant.
Tyrone hurler Jesse Hertzler relieved exhausted starter Mike Romano and allowed only three unearned runs in the final three innings of the game, but it was too little too late for the Legion.
“Our main goal today was to get out of here with everyone healthy and our pitching staff lined up for the weekend,” Tyrone Legion Manager Mike Boytim said. “We could have had a forfeit win, but I wanted to make sure Mike Romano played in his sixth game of the year so that he would be eligible for the playoffs.”
Hoss’s only had eight players at 5:30 p.m. and their ninth player did not arrive until almost 6 p.m. almost 15 minutes past the deadline for a forfeit.
Ben Lynn, the only player on the Tyrone Legion who got significant playing time this season who will not be eligible to return next season, led off the game with a single and stole second. After an out, Tyler Gillmen drove Lynn in with the first of his three hits and promptly stole second and third to finish the season 21 for 21 in stolen base attempts. Jamie Levinson knocked home his 24th RBI of the season with a single moments later.
After Hoss’s captured the lead in the bottom of the inning with three unearned runs, Tyrone struck back with some two-out lightning. Tyler Conrad singled, and Lynn walked before Hertzler drove in Conrad with a single. Gillmen plated two with a triple, and Tyler Hoover put Tyrone ahead 6-3 with a RBI single.
“We had 12 hits in 25 at bats tonight,” Boytim said. “So obviously we were swinging the bat pretty well, and I hope we can keep that momentum going into the playoffs.”
Gillmen doubled in the fourth inning to come within a home run of the cycle, but he never got another at bat and finished the season hitting .441.
With the loss, Tyrone fell to 13-9 and wrapped up the season as the fifth seeded team in the seven team playoff bracket.
The Legion will be taking on fourth seeded Martin Oil who swept the season series against Tyrone this season, winning 8-4 at Bellwood, and 20-9 in Tyrone.
Game one of the best of three series will take place at Mansion Park in Altoona at 5:30 p.m. today.
Sprankle’s Auto Outlet Notes: Tyrone is 0-5 against Martin Oil in Boytim’s tenure as coach… Mop-up man Jesse Hertzler lowered his ERA to a team-best 1.40… Hoover knocked in his 20th RBI in the game, and Gillmen scored two runs to bring his total to a team-high 31… The Legion finished 2-1 against Hoss’s for the second straight season.
Hoss’s 16 Tyrone Legion 6
TYRONE LEGION – Lynn, ss, 2-2-1; Hertzler, 3b-p, 3-1-1; Gillmen, cf-3b, 3-2-3; Hoover, 1b, 3-0-1; Levinson, c, 3-0-2; Morrow, rf, 3-0-2; Ashcroft, 2b, 3-0-1; Romano, p-cf, 2-0-0; Oswalt, 3b, 1-0-0; T. Conrad, lf, 2-1-1. TOTALS 25-6-12.
HOSS’S – Smith, cf, 4-2-2; Heist, ss, 4-3-2; Sagaities, 1b, 3-2-2; Wimbush, lf-c, 3-1-1; Harella, 2b-3b, 4-3-1; Eckard, c-lf, 3-2-2; Bettwy, 3b-2b, 3-0-0; Holsinger, rf, 4-0-1; Breon, p, 2-3-2. TOTALS 30-16-13.
Tyrone Legion 240 00 6-12-4
Hoss’s 3(10)0 03 16-13-1
HR: Smith
3B: Gillmen
2B: Gillmen
RBI: Gillmen 3, Hertzler, Hoover, Levinson, Smith 4, Breon 3, Heist 2, Eckard 2, Sagaities, Harella.
SO: Breon 3, Romano 3, Hertzler 2
BB: Romano 6, Breon 2
WP: Breon LP: Romano
