May 30, 2002 By Justin Zackal For The 2 min read

WAYNESBURG – The Waynesburg American Legion baseball team had many problems while hosting Connellsville Wednesday night. Waynesburg is a young team that committed seven errors and was also hampered by injuries to three key players.

But according to manager Sam McLaughlin, Sr., the biggest problems were “the one in the creek and the one that went in the parking lot.” That is, the two home runs that propelled Connellsville to the 14-5 win.

Andy Beucher led Connellsville by going 3-for-4 with four RBI. His third-inning home run reached the creek in left field, while scoring Cory Fox and Brad Livingston, and giving Connellsville a 7-1 edge.

After Waynesburg cut the deficit to 7-4 in the bottom of the inning, Livingston jacked one over the right-center wall in the fourth. His two-run homer scored Eric Luckey and gave Connellsville an 11-4 lead.

“That takes a lot out of another team,” said Connellsville manager Kevin Henry. “At 7-4, I was getting a little nervous.”

Luckey reached base in the fourth inning on a two-run triple to deep center field. Brandon Bryner and Phillip Gratchic scored on the play after reaching on an error and a walk, respectively. That was Waynesburg’s Achilles’ heel.

“That kills you,” McLaughlin said. “Any time you put kids on base, that hurts; we gave them a lot of gifts.”

Starting pitcher Tim Rostettler surrendered four unearned runs in the first two innings. Rostettler lasted three innings giving up four walks and three hit batsmen. Waynesburg committed at least one error in each of the six innings that Connellsville scored.

A two-base throwing error in the fifth inning plated Tony Marciante from second, after reached base on a beam.

“We didn’t field the ball well,” McLaughlin said. “But you have to give Connellsville credit; they pounded the ball.”

Chris Marsinko added two hits and an RBI in the game, while Beucher led the team with three hits.

“We put the ball in play and got key hits with runners on base,” Henry said. “Andy Beucher pounded the ball today and we were aggressive.”

Gratchic picked up the win for Connellsville pitching the first six innings, while striking out five and surrendering five runs and no walks.

Andrew McLaughlin and Greg Klinefelter led Waynesburg with two hits apiece.

Connellsville (1-1, 2-2) travels to Kiski Prep today for non-league action, while Waynesburg (1-2) visits Farmington.