May 16, 2002 By Jim Kriek For The 4 min read

Two teams that have battled for top honors in their division over the last decade are ready to go at it again, in both the respect of renewing their long and strong rivalry, and for first place again in their lineup. Defending County Baseball League champion Bud Murphy’s and runner-up Mill Run are ready to have at it again when the league gets a new season underway on Sunday. That is, if the weather maker will cooperate.

The County League is slated to open with four Sunday games, but rain is being predicted for the weekend, including heavy showers on Sunday, so right now it’s wait and see.

The 11-team league will again go in two divisions. The East Division will include Bud’s, Mill Run, Anthony Crane, the Connellsville Warriors, and the league’s newest entry, the Perryopolis Red Storm. Perryopolis joined the league over the winter, as a replacement for Hopwood, which folded since last season. The Western Division will include champion Carmichaels, also runner-up to Bud’s in the finals last year, Brownsville Bucs, Fayette City-Belle Vernon, Masontown, and Charleroi.

Opening games match Connellsville at Carmichaels and Fayette City-Belle Vernon at Brownsville (Republic Field), both at 1 p.m., and Perryopolis at Bud Murphy’s (Breakneck Field) and Charleroi at Mill Run, both at 2 p.m. One game Monday completes the opening slate, matching Anthony Crane at Masontown, at 6 p.m.

Tom Sankovich will be starting his 13th year as Bud Murphy’s manager, league champion the last two years, and having the nucleus of both teams back for their try at three. His coaches include Brian Sankovich, Mark Edenfield, and Gary Feniello.

Sankovich observed that “we are pretty well set at pitching, but we lost three outfielders since last season, so we will have to do some replacing there.”

Gone are Joe Bonadio, who was also the team’s leadoff hitter (retired), Ken Gallentine (moved), and Kevin Hiles (injured).

Returnees include pitchers Matt Basinger, Nick Damico, Marty Fagler, and Jason Halfhill. Also back are the team’s and league’s one-two homerun and RBI punch, Brian Sankovich (1B) and Brian Shipley (3B), plus Greg Beucher (SS), home from college, Edenfield (DH-OF), catchers Jeff Lander (C), Bob Showman (C), and Richie Means (IF) and Brian Showman (IF). DH-IF Mark Riggin is also back, but is on the injured list and could be sidelined all summer.

Also joining the lineup are Larry Smith (P), Tony Rose (OF-P), Jack Smarslak (IF) and Shawn Lucy (IF), from the Hopwood team, Dan Lindner (P) and Josh Delander (OF) from Potomac State College, and Brian Hartung (3B-OF), Jason Foreman (P-OF), and Ryan Balan (P), all from California University of Pa. Also, Matt Cole (C), Chris Fisher, Chris Lewis, and Brent Wilson (P), Andy Beucher (IF), and Kevin Hiles, Tony Marciante, and Brian Rockwell (OF).

Bud’s and Mill Run will be hooking up four times on their 27-game schedule, the first meeting on Sunday, June 2, at Breakneck (2 p.m.), then Sunday, June 23, at Mill Run, and Sunday, July 14, at Breakneck.

Player introductions won’t be needed for the bulk of players on both sides have been battling for most of the last decade.

Bugs Orndorff returns as manager, with Don Shearer and Denny Firestone coaches, and Ray Orndorff as player-coach.

Manager Orndorff noted that “we lost infielder-pitcher Jeff Kooser, one of our mainstays from last year, who has moved to Virginia in his work, and he will have to be replaced. But overall, we have a good nucleus back and they are experienced.”

Returning from the lineup that battled Bud’s in the division finals last year are Jim Warrick (1B), Denny Show (2B), shortstop Jeremy Miller, who has shed about 30 pounds since last season, Chris Firestone (C), who has been having an outstanding season at Indiana University of Pa., and outfielders John Warrick, Richie Orndorff, and Brian Shearer. There is one newcomer to the infield, Mike Doppelheuer, of Normalville, who had been playing at Charleroi.

The pitching staff is solid with returnees Chris Galick, Doug Galick, Chris Brunson, and Dale Eutsey. Chris Lynn is also on the pitching roster but his status is questionable for the moment, with a shoulder injury.

Also back are Ken Meadows, who can pitch, play infield or outfield, and be designated hitter, utilityman Doug Bittner, Dan Gratchic, Randy Firestone (OF), Jason Solarchick, and Joel Stalarva.

All teams will play a 27-game schedule, slated to end the week of July 21, to be followed by the playoffs.