County League
Masontown snaps 4-game losing streak MASONTOWN – Christmas came in June for Masontown, and George Sepic played Santa Claus.
Sepic worked a seven-hitter, allowing only two after the third inning as Masontown snapped a four-game skid and tripped visiting Perryopolis, 8-5, in Fayette County Baseball League play here Tuesday.
Manager Clint Zvolenski said, “We needed a win of any kind, and this was like a Christmas present. We had been on a four-game losing streak, and we needed some hits, some defense, anything we could put together to get a win, just anything we could get to get that winning feeling back again.”
The Wolfpack (5-5) trailed 2-0 into the fifth, then scored five runs and went on from there. Sepic went the distance and was nigh untouchable after the third. After Perry scored twice in the third, Sepic had a run of nine outs in a row, then gave up singles to Ken Holden in the sixth and Justin Homer in the seventh. He ran into rough going in the seventh, walking two batters and hitting another, along with Homer’s single.
Zvolenski added, “Despite our losing run, we did hit the ball and we fielded well, but we just couldn’t win. George gave us a big boost today. He hadn’t pitched for a week, so he was well rested.”
And despite losing, Perryopolis didn’t play bad baseball. Phil Dinetti pitched the first three innings, ceding all the Pack hits and runs, then Dustin Schwab worked three double-zero innings the rest of the way with only two putouts going to the outfield.
Manager Mike Matras said, “I think we left our gloves and mental game at home over the first four innings. We had the bases loaded in the seventh and twice we had two runners on, but we just couldn’t get them in. Our pitchers did well despite the heat, especially Schwab, but we just didn’t back them.”
Homer was the bat leader for the Red Storm, with a home run, two singles, and four runs batted in. Chris McManus added a double and single. For the Wolfpack, Andy Patrick had a double and single, Scott Van Sickle a double and Jim Kubina a brace of singles.
Perryopolis led 2-0 in the first. With one out, Matt Chalfant singled, McManus doubled him to third, Schwab walked to load the bases and Homer singled for two runs. Then Sepic struck out two to end the inning.
Masontown went out front to stay in the second. Patrick led off with a double to right, and with one out, Shaneyfelt and Kubina singled, Francis doubled, Brad Baker drove in a run with a fly ball and Van Sickle doubled for a 5-2 lead.
The Storm cut that to 5-4 in the third on McManus’ leadoff single and Homer’s long belt into the left field trees, but Masontown countered with three in its end of the inning on singles by Patrick and Kubina, coupled with an error and Francis’ fly ball.
Perryopolis scored its final run in the seventh on two-out walks to McManus and Schwab, Homer’s single to load the bases and Ken Holden nicked by a p itch.
Both teams play at home on Thursday, Masontown with Mill Run and Perryopolis hosts Connellsville.