Apr 2, 2003 By Rob Burchianti 4 min read

WAYNESBURG – Albert Gallatin and Waynesburg Central are trying to fine tune their baseball teams with the beginning of section play lurking just around the corner. If their non-section meeting on Tuesday at Waynesburg’s Madison Field was any indication, the Colonials are a bit ahead of the Raiders.

Alan Smodic went 3 for 3 with two doubles and two RBIs and was the winning pitcher as Albert Gallatin defeated Waynesburg 9-4.

Josh Franks drove in three runs with a homer and a double, Jerome Manchas knocked in two runs, Craig Hriblan reached base three times and Josh Francis tossed three no-hit innings in relief to earn a save for the Colonials (2-2).

In fact, the two AG hurlers held the Raiders hitless with the exception of the fourth inning when Waynesburg (1-3) scored all four of its runs off Smodic, one of which was unearned.

“Smodic and Francis are two of our top four pitchers,” first-year Albert Gallatin coach Dan Palm said. “Hriblan and (Josh) Null are the other two. They give us four solid arms that we’ll depend on as starters and relievers, depending on how things go, game to game.”

Palm, who was an assistant coach at Belle Vernon under Jim Russell for four years and also manages the Fayette City/Belle Vernon team in the County League, is pleased with the scenario at Albert Gallatin so far.

“This is a good bunch of kids who are good athletes, we have good numbers, and we’re deep. The Chorys left things pretty much in order for us,” said Palm, referring to Shawn and Rob Chory, who stepped down from their coaching positions last year. “We’re working on fundamentals. Our motto on defense is don’t give away bases. Our motto on offense is don’t give away outs.”

If Palm has one complaint in the early going, it’s his team’s penchant for leaving runners on base, including 11 on Tuesday.

“We’ve stranded runners in 30 of 32 innings this season,” Palm said. “That’s been our biggest problem. At least today we knocked in some runs, then left guys on afterwards. But it is something we have to work on.”

Albert Gallatin got on the board first, thanks to Franks’ two-run single in the second inning. The Colonials added three more in the third to make it 5-0. Manchas delivered a run-scoring single, Smodic hammered an RBI double and B.J. Strimel drove in the final run of the rally with a single.

Kellen Haines, son of Raiders coach Chris Haines, gave Waynesburg its first hit with a single in the fourth, which started a semi-avalanche of offense. Mark Smith singled, Ricky Stansberry hit a two-run double and Aaron Carpenter made it four straight hits with a single. An AG error also contributed to the four-run inning which pulled the Raiders within 5-4.

That was Smodic’s finally frame. He allowed three earned runs on those four hits with no walks, two hit batters and three strikeouts in four innings.

Francis then came on and made sure Waynesburg would get no closer, allowing only three base runners the rest of the way, all on walks.

The Colonials gave themselves some breathing room with three runs in the sixth to go up 8-4. Manchas hit a sacrifice fly and Null and Smodic followed with consecutive run-scoring singles.

Franks smashed a solo home run to left in the seventh to cap the game’s scoring.

Albert Gallatin pounded out 12 hits, including a triple by Scott Piper.

Eric Churney allowed five runs in three-plus innings in taking the loss. Stansberry gave up four runs in four innings in finishing up.

“Our kids are playing hard,” said coach Haines, who led Waynesburg to a WPIAL title and the PIAA final in 1999. “I thought we’d take a look at a couple pitchers and players today. I think we had a few too many walks.

“I like the way our team fought back, but Albert Gallatin weathered the storm and added a few more runs, and that’s the sign of a good team.”

Haines sees a simple formula for his team to be competitive in Section 1-AA.

“If we make the plays on defense, eliminate mistakes and limit the walks we give up, we should be in every game,” Haines said.

Palm sees a tough task ahead in Section 2-AAA.

“It’s a tough section, no doubt,” Palm said. “Connellsville is what everybody aspires to be in our section. Uniontown and Laurel Highlands are both coming off playoff seasons and Ringgold’s got a good team, too.

“It’ll be an uphill climb for us, but we’re looking forward to the challenge.”