Jul 4, 2002 By Jim Kriek For The 4 min read

ROWES RUN – It used to be said that there were only two things that were for certain sure in this world, but now there are three – taxes, death, and Jared Slusser pitching and winning a complete game. Slusser ran his record to 11-0 – every one of those wins a complete game – as Colonial 3 moved out in mid-game and tripped visiting Uniontown, 5-4, in a Fayette County American Legion Baseball nailbiter Wednesday.

The win also moved Colonial within a step of clinching division honors with a 16-1 record to Uniontown’s second-place 12-5 mark with five games left to play. Colonial has a Friday game at Perryopolis and a Monday doubleheader at home with Carmichaels, (4 p.m.). Uniontown has a home doubleheader on Friday with Masontown (5 p.m.).

The game featured a good pitchers’ battle between Slusser and Mike Allison with the latter holding a 3-0 edge until Colonial struck in the fifth. Up to then, Allison had a three-hit shutout, while Slusser ceded four hits and three runs. Slusser struck out 11 over the distance, seven swinging, and walked three.

Allison worked seven innings, gave up nine hits, fanned five and walked just one batter (Matt Rechichar in the fifth) and that was intentional.

Between the two pitchers, the outfields had an easy night, Uniontown’s pickets having just two putouts and Colonial three.

Colonial manager Ralph Rice said, “Jared started off with three walks in the first four innings and that’s a high for him. But then he came on and got 11 strikeouts against a good hitting team.

“Allison pitched a good game as well. Both pitchers worked hard despite the heat, and then we finally got Jared some runs in the fifth. Our defense played well behind him, and our infield was strong.”

Uniontown manager Ron Popovich said, “The pitchers worked very well, but our defense made some mistakes and gave them some runs. But you never have enough hits and runs against Colonial. They are a good hitting team and they get the hits when they need them. On their own field they are really tough, and against Slusser we have a hard time even putting the ball in play.”

Colonial’s offense included Brandon Mallick’s double and two singles, Chad Rice’s double and single and Slusser’s two singles. Dave Landman had three Uniontown hits, Paul Briczinski two and Eric Darr a double and single.

Uniontown led 2-0 in the second. Ryan Gondek singled and moved ahead as Briczinski grounded out. Aaron Lowden walked, and both scored on Darr’s double. It was 3-0 in the third. Briczinski was aboard on a force play, stole second and scored on Darr’s single.

Colonial made its move in the fifth. Ross Martini singled to lead off, and with one down, Slusser’s potential double play grounder was kicked. Mallick singled to short right, and Martini was thrown out trying to reach third. Then Jason Rechichar and Rice singled, Matt Rechichar walked and Nate Lewis singled.

Popovich said, “That error was a key play for them. It could have been a double play, but instead we let them stay alive and they went on to get four runs.”

Uniontown had a threat going in the sixth. With one out Gondek was aboard on an error and went to third on Briczinski’s single, but when the latter tried to reach second he was thrown out.

Rice called that “a very big play for us. The ball was in the gap and they could have scored, but instead we got the out at second. Your outfield coming back quick like that is what you need.”

Colonial got what proved to be the clincher in the sixth when Slusser singled with two out and scored on Mallick’s double.

Uniontown added its final run in the seventh on Brad Yohman’s single, an error and Landman’s single.