Martin Oil opened their 2005 George B. Kelley Federation season at Geesey Park on Thursday night in winning fashion by outlasting Dick’s Pharmacy 9-7.
Manager Ed Davis’ club fell behind 1-0 early, but then kicked it into gear to put eight runs on the board in the second, third and fourth innings to open up an 8-1 advantage.
Starting slowly Martin Oil tallied a run in the top of the second to tie the score. Winning pitcher Troy Brunner doubled to begin the frame. Zach Tomchick singled and one batter later, Blaze Winsterstein looped an infield hit to score Aaron Geis, courtesy running for Brunner.
In the third stanza, Dustin Harris beat out an infield single and then stole second base. Chris Alley was safe on an error to put runners at first and third. Chad Coho ripped a double over the first baseman’s head to score Harris. Brunner delivered Alley to the plate and was safe on an infield error, and Tomchick’s single drove home Coho.
In the fourth inning, Earnie Kelley walked with one down. Alley doubled Kelley to third and Coho scored both runners with a single. Brunner singled and an scored on an error on a fly ball by Tomchick.
Dick’s staged a comeback in the fifth, putting six runs on the board to close to within 8-7. Losing pitcher Tyler Stiffler doubled to drive in a pair.
Kelley, Coho, Brunner and Tomchick each had two hits for Martin Oil, who bashed four doubles, one each by Kelley, Coho, Brunner and Alley.
Brunner allowed just one run and five hits over the first four innings, before tiring in the fifth, striking out three and walking three in picking up the win. Alley fanned four and walked three in two and 2/3 innings to earn a save.
Dick’s Pharmacy turned two double plays to help Martin Oil from taking a bigger lead and Martin Oil ended the game with a shortstop Brandon Beech-to second baseman Dustin Harris-to-first baseman Troy Brunner twin-killing.
Stiffler went the distance for the Pharmacy striking out seven and walking four to take the loss.
“We were happy to get the win,” said Davis. “The kids did a good job, except for that one bad inning. We were able to jump on them a little after getting behind early
Martin Oil (1-0) will play Hoss’s on Saturday at the Bellwood-Antis High School field on Stadium Drive at 2 p.m..
Martin Oil 9 Dick’s Pharmacy 7
Martin Oil – Beech, 2b-ss, 5-0-0; Harris, 1b-2b, 5-1-1; Kelley, cf, 4-1-2; Alley, ss-p, 4-2-1; Coho, 3b, 4-2-2; Brunner, p-1b, 3-0-2; Geis, cr, 0-2-0, Dougherty, cr, 0-1-0; Tomchick, rf, 3-0-2; McDaniel, 2-0-0; Davilla, cr, ph, 1-0-0; Winterstein, c, 3-0-1. TOTALS 34-9-11.
Dick’s Pharmacy – DePaulis, cf, 3-1-1; Ruddy, 2b, 4-2-2; Stiffler, p, 3-1-2; Seasoltz, ss, 4-1-2; Newenberg, 3b-1b, 4-0-0; Zemerduck, lf-3b, 3-1-0; T. McCaulley, c, 3-1-2; Mencir, rf, 3-0-0; R. McCaulley, 1b-lf. 3-0-1. TOTALS 30-7-10.
Martin Oil 013 400 1 9-11-2.
Dick’s Pharmacy 100 060 0 7-10-5.
2B: Kelley, Alley, Coho, Brunner, Stiffler, Seasoltz.
RBI: Coho 3, Kelley, Tomchick 2, Brunner, Winterstein, Seasoltz 2, Stiffler 2, DePaulis, Newenberg, R. McCaulley.
SO: Brunner 3, Alley 5, Stiffler 7.
BB: Brunner 3, Alley 3, Stiffler 4.
WP: Brunner LP: Stiffler Save: Alley
