Fox plays every position
Connellsville Legion clinches division title Connellsville clinched a division title, and Bubba Fox wrote some Connellsville Legion Baseball history in the process.
Bunching most of its scoring in the middle three innings, Connellsville (16-4) defeated California, 14-3, and wrapped up the North Division title of the Fayette American Legion Baseball League. A game today at Charleroi and a makeup on Friday at Masontown will conclude the regular season schedule for the division champs.
On the way to the win, Fox played all nine positions for the Legionnaires, and as near as records can determine, he might be the first player ever to do so in Connellsville baseball. At least, the first one to play all nine spots in a Legion game.
Fox started the game at first base, then in succeeding innings he moved to right field, third base, shortstop, left field, center field, second base, catcher and then pitched the ninth inning, throwing just seven pitches in the process.
Fox said the moving was “something he had thought about doing. Kevin (Manager Henry) told me at the beginning of the year he would like to see me play all nine spots in one game, and I said it was fine with me as long as he gave me a day to prepare. We decided to take the chance today. I had never done this before at any level of baseball, although I did pitch one inning of relief last year at Farmington.”
Not only did he play all the positions, the switch-hitting Fox helped the win along with two hits, one from each side of the plate.
Henry said, “We had talked about doing this, and for Bubba it was no chore. He can play any position.”
Brent Wilson pitched the first eight innings for Connellsville, then moved to third base in the ninth so Fox could complete his nine-run. He allowed eight hits and three runs in picking up the win.
Henry added, “Brent had good control, and he didn’t give them a lot. After the first inning he got stronger, and for the game, he threw 94 pitches, just under 12 an inning.”
For the clincher, Henry said, “It felt great. The older players had a lot of fun, and all the elements were there for the win. But we can’t look ahead to any opponent for you never know what’s out there. Colonial is still the team to beat. They are a hot team right now and they are going great.
“What also pleases me is that we are starting to hit the ball. Everybody has been doing something, and that’s a big help with the playoffs coming up.”
Jon Stutzman (2 RBI) and Andy Beucher led the 18-hit offense with a double and two singles each, Zack Leonard had a triple, Brandon Bryner two singles and two RBI and Ty Leonard and Fox two singles.
Shawn Tonkavitch led California at bat with a double, two singles and two RBI. R.J. Myers had a double and single and Mike Hollowood and Greg Morrell a double each.
California led 1-0 in the third with Morrell’s double, Mark Shellenberger’s sacrifice and Tonkavitch’s squeeze bunt. Connellsville came right back with two to take the lead for good on a walk to Wilson, singles by Fox and Beucher and Chris Marsinko’s fly ball.
The lead went to 3-1 in the fourth on singles by Phil Gratchic, Stutzman and Wilson. California got one in the fifth on a force play, an error and Tonkavitch’s double.
Connellsville got what proved to be the winning edge in the sixth, scoring four times on singles by Marsinko, Bryner, Eric Luckey, Ty Leonard and Stutzman singles, around a walk.
California closed its scoring in the sixth. Mike Shumar walked, stole second and scored on Larry Christinis’ single. Connellsville came back with two to lead 9-3 on Beucher’s double, a walk and an error. Four more scored in the seventh on singles by Gratchic, Fox and Shawn Durr, an error and Zack Leonard’s triple. Luckey walked in the eighth and scored the final run on Stutzman’s double.