Apr 24, 2002 By Dave Stofcheck 4 min read

While a light breeze provided the chill at Hutchinson Field Tuesday afternoon, Kevin Martin put forth the effort Laurel Highlands needed to stay in the heat of the Section 2-AAA playoff race. The senior left-hander tossed a no-hitter, striking out 14, as the Mustangs topped Albert Gallatin, 7-0, in an important section contest.

Martin (3-1) retired the game’s first 10 batters, eight via strikeout, as Laurel Highlands improved to 9-3 overall and 3-3 in section play. He consistently kept the Colonials off balance, especially with a sharp curve ball.

“I started thinking about it (no-hitter) in the fourth inning and it made me want it more,” Martin said. “Because we are fighting for a playoff spot, the game was that much more special.”

As was Martin’s performance. He struck out two in the first inning, two more in the second and the side in the third. At one point, Martin struck out five straight and seven of eight Colonial batters.

Martin ran into trouble twice, loading the bases with two outs in the fourth inning on a hit batter and two walks before striking out Mike Budinsky, and again in the seventh on a hit batter and a walk before catching Mike Corob looking and Adam Weakland swinging to end the game.

The seventh inning could have been worse, had it not been for Mustang right fielder Ryan Gondek. In a game in which it definitely felt cold enough for flurries, Gondek’s snow cone wound up preserving Martin’s no-hitter.

Albert Gallatin’s Ryan Jenkins led off the top of the seventh and lined a 1-1 pitch to right field. The ball kept slicing away from Gondek, but he made a running catch just inside the foul line and kept enough leather around the ball to hold on.

“I was thanking God he caught that ball,” Martin said.

The victory helps Laurel Highlands keep pace with Uniontown, Hempfield and Albert Gallatin in the battle for second place in Section 2-AAA. With Connellsville undefeated and appeared headed towards the section crown, the Mustangs, Red Raiders, Spartans and Colonials are jockeying for position over the final week and a half of the regular season.

Uniontown entered Tuesday’s play 3-3 in the section, as did Albert Gallatin. Hempfield was a half-game back at 2-3.

“Every game is important,” said Laurel Highlands coach Tom Landman. “Right now, second place is up for grabs. We came up with a big win over Hempfield last week when we rallied from two runs down, and we got a big win today.

“We played an excellent game. We got some hits, committed no errors and Kevin had an outstanding performance.”

Which could be said about Albert Gallatin right-hander Wes Kisner as well, at least through the first five innings. Before tiring in the sixth, Kisner allowed only three hits and an unearned run.

Kisner gave up a leadoff double to Martin, however, to start the sixth, and Aaron Lowden followed with a home run to left field to put the Mustangs ahead, 3-0. After allowing a single to Paul Briczinski, Craig Hriblan replaced Kisner but Laurel Highlands scored four more times.

“Kevin pitched the best game against us we’ve seen all year,” said Colonials coach Shawn Chory. “He kept us off balance and we couldn’t touch him. I have to give Wes Kisner credit as well. He did an excellent job before tiring in the sixth.

“We’re not out of it yet. We’re just a game back now for the playoff spot and we just have to come back with a good effort against Hempfield.”

David Landman had two hits and two RBIs to pace Laurel Highlands, while Andy Koposko, Santino Sloboda and Steven Strange also drove in runs. Strange’s fifth-inning double to right field accounted for the game’s only run until Laurel Highlands’ decisive sixth.

The Mustangs return to action Thursday, hosting Connellsville at 4:30 p.m., while Albert Gallatin travels to Hempfield.