Fri. Mar 29th, 2024
Difference of opinion
While ReMax base runner Tony Zelnoski thinks he is safe at home, while Martin Oil catcher Jake Manning and pitcher Nate Plummer waite for the decision, home plate umpire Bill Vigny empatically calls him out on the bang-bang play at the plate. (The Daily Herald/Stacey Manning)

Martin Oil and ReMax Realty, who met in last year’s semifinal playoff series, had their third meeting of the 2008 George B. Kelley Federation season on Thursday night in the late game at Vets Field. ReMax Realty got the best of Martin Oil the first two times by 9-2 and 7-0 counts and brought a 16-2 mark into the third game of the series.
On Thursday evening, one team dominated and the margin was seven runs again. This time, however with the 2008 playoffs looming and set to begin later next week, it was Martin Oil coming out on top 14-7. The defending Federation League champion Martin Oil opened up a 9-3 lead after four innings and never allowed ReMax to seriously get back into the contest.
“After a rough start to his federation career, 16-year old Nate Plummer has been getting better on the mound every game. He was able to throw strikes and use his defense, which was pretty good, except in a couple of occasions, and then Chad Coho came in and closed them out the last two innings for us. Both of our pitchers battled out there tonight,” said Martin Oil manager Ed Davis.
Martin Oil put up three scores in the top of the first and ReMax came right back to narrow the score to 3-2 in the first inning. After that however, Martin Oil kept on scoring, while Plummer and Coho were keeping ReMax from getting started.
Justin Manning, who reached base four times on walks and belted a two-run double for a perfect night at the plate, started things in the first with a base on balls. Then with two outs, clutch back-to-back doubles by Coho and Ian Pankoke scored Manning and Coho. Plummer, who picked up the win, singled to send Pankoke to third base. Jared Coho, courtesy running for Plummer got caught in a rundown between first and second, but Pankoke alertly was able to score before the out was recorded for the third tally of the inning.
In the second, Alex Miller and Justin Manning walked with two outs and Jake Manning doubled to score both runners for a 5-2 advantage.
ReMax added their third run in the third, but Martin Oil made that up and more in the top of the fourth. Justin Miller singled, and Adam Kovac walked. Justin Manning clubbed a two-bagger to get both J. Miller and Kovac home. Jake Manning laid down a sacrifice bunt to get Justin Manning to third and when the ball was thrown away on the play, Justin scored and Jake went to second base. Coho was safe on one error and which allowed Jake Manning to score and Pankoke was safe on the third error of the inning.
ReMax got two runs each in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings, while Martin Oil scored a single tally in the fifth, on a walk and stolen base for Justin Manning, and a double by Nate Gray.
Finally, in the sixth, Martin Oil put the finishing touches on the cake with four more scores.
Justin Miller walked to open the frame, moved up 90 feet on a wild pitch and scored on a double by Jimmy Watters. Justin Manning drew a one-out walk, his fourth of the contest, with a wild pitch resulting on ball four that scored Watters. With two down, Gray slammed his second double of the game to plate Manning. Coho added his second double to score Gray with the final run of the ballgame.
“We were able to spread it around on offense tonight” said Davis. “Justin Manning was a terrific leadoff man, getting on base every time and scoring five runs. Nate Gray and Chad Coho each hit two doubles, and Justin and Jake Manning and Ian Pankoke each hit one from our starting lineup, and Jimmy Watters came in late and also hit a double. This was really a team effort on offense, everybody had a part from the starters and the late additions, to the courtesy and pinch runners and pinch hitters. Now, we need to continue to hit the ball and take good swings and not try to do too much, to be selective with the pitches we swing at and go from there.”
Martin Oil (14-7) will host Corporal Miller at Stadium Drive Field in Bellwood today at 5 p.m.
Martin Oil 14  ReMax Realty 7
Martin Oil – Ju. Manning, 2b, 1-5-1; Ja. Manning, c, 4-1-1; Gray, ss, 5-1-2; C. Coho, 3b-p, 4-1-2; Davis, pr, 0-0-0; Degennaro, cr, 0-0-0; Pankoke, cf, 4-1-1; Doyle, ph, 1-0-0; Plummer, p-3b, 4-0-1; J. Coho, cr-pr, 0-0-0; J. Miller, 1b, 3-1-2; Kovac, rf, 2-1-0; Watters, rf, 1-1-1; A. Miller, lf, 2-1-0; Mock, lf, 1-0-0. TOTALS 32-14-11.
ReMax – Frederick, ss-p, 3-2-1; Gehret, p, 0-0-0; Zelnosky, dh, 1-0-0; Novesel, cr-lf-cf, 2-1-1; Forney, lf, 0-0-0; Williams, 3b-ss, 1-1-0; Vaughn, 1b, 3-1-1; Perry, 2b, 4-1-2; Johnson, c, 3-0-0; Tomassetti, lf-rf, 3-0-1; Gearhart, cf, 2-0-0; Focarelli, lf-p, 0-1-0; Hammaker, rf-3b, 3-0-1. TOTALS 25-7-7.
Martin Oil 320 401 4  14-11-3.
ReMax     201 022 0    7- 7-3.
E: Ja. Manning, Gray, C. Coho, Williams 3.
2B: Gray 2, C. Coho 2, Ju. Manning, Ja. Manning, Pankoke, Watters,  Perry 2.
3B: Hammaker.
RBI: Ju. Manning 2, Gray 2, Ja. Manning, C. Coho, Pankoke, Watters, Perry 2, Vaughn, Hammaker.
SO: Plummer 4, C. Coho 2, Gehret 3, Frederick 3, Focarelli 1.
BB: Plummer 3, C. Coho 3, Gehret 4, Frederick 2, Focarelli 1.
WP: Plummer    LP: Gehret

By Rick