West rules in FCBL All-Star game
ROSTRAVER TWP. – All-Star games are usually fueled with high scores, many hits, and bruised egos for pitchers. However, in the 2007 Fayette County League All-Star game, pitching and defense were the factors that contributed to a 6-2 West All-Stars victory over the East All-Stars Sunday night at John DiVirgilio Field in Rostraver Township.
The East, comprised of players from Bud Murphy’s, Blaney Farms, Mill Run, and Potter’s Clubhouse could not muster any offense as the West, comprised of teams from Carmichaels, California, Michael’s Heroes, Phil’s Tire, and Waynesburg used a four-run second inning to defeat the East.
Phil’s Tire pitcher Tim Latham started the game and pitched two-perfect scoreless innings to pick up the win for the West. He got in some trouble in the second inning with two outs as Ryan Firestone (Mill Run) picked up a double and reached third on a wild pitch, but he struck out Bob Fulton (Mill Run) to end the threat.
Casey Schultz (Bud Murphy’s) started for the East and was dominant in the one inning that he pitched, setting down the West in order 1-2-3.
However, Chris Lynn (Mill Run) came in the second inning and gave up four runs on one hit to take the loss. In the inning, he hit three batters and walked two. He was pulled with one out in the inning. Todd Dunham (Blaney Farms) came on in relief for Lynn and got the East out of the jam, but the damage was done.
“We only pitched Casey (Schultz) for one inning because he has a game tomorrow,” East and Blaney Farms manager Lou Pasquale said. “Our guys have a week off, so we let our players go as long as they felt good.”
The game was definitely a pitching dual as both teams combined to use nine pitchers in the game. Although, the turning point in the game was definitely the walks and hit batters as the East out hit the West 8-5, but had far more base on balls and hit batsman.
“We definitely took advantage of the walks and the hit batters,” West and California play-er/manager Ryan Encapera said. “This was no grudge match though, we just wanted to have some fun.”
Encapera pinch-hit in the sixth inning and reached base on a single.
“I do it every game,” Encapera said in reference to managing and playing. “So, it is really not that big of a deal.”
Both teams played hard, but it was all a matter of having fun and showing respect for a past star as league president and Potter’s Clubhouse player/manager Dan Kupets was selected as the East’s designated hitter.
“It was a lot of fun out there,” Kupets said. “I felt like I hit the ball pretty good. Got on base in the eighth, but it was the league managers that voted me in. For that, I am very grateful.”
“Koops does a lot for the league, so it was great to get him in the game,” Mill Run manager and East coach Ray Orndorff said. “This game was just about having fun and we decided who would play through the manager’s of all the team’s. My guys are back on Tuesday, so we are just looking forward to the second half.”
Another star that has played in the league a long time was East first baseman, Brian Sankovich (Bud Murphy’s). Although, Sankovich has not lost his touch as he walked three times in the game and had a base hit. Sankovich is known for his home runs, as he is the league’s all-time home run king, but he could not get a hold of one all night to blast into the stands.
That was just the kind of night it was for the East All-Stars.
“If someone would have told me that we would have only scored two runs in this game, I would have said, “you’re crazy,” Pasquale said. “We have guys on this squad that have batting averages in the .400s and .500s, so I thought we would do well on the offensive side of the ball. Well, baseball is a funny game.”
Every manager seemed to have the same feelings when they all responded that this game was about having fun and East manger Pasquale showed that he meant it as he changed uniforms nearly every inning, from throwbacks to a Jason Varitek get-up.
“I was just trying to enjoy myself out there and have some fun with it,” Pasquale said.
Pasquale was trying to have fun, but his team’s offense wasn’t having any as they stranded numerous base runners. Twice they left innings with the bases loaded. For the game, the East left 14 runners on base.
The East did not have many bright spots, but they were able to pick up a run in each of the eighth and ninth innings.
In the eighth, Andy Patrick (Potter’s Clubhouse) walked, Kupets reached on an error that sent Patrick to second. After a fly out and a strike out, Shane Busti (Blaney Farms) sent Patrick home on an RBI double to give the East their first run of the game.
They picked up another run in the ninth on a Patrick RBI single that sent Denny Show (Mill Run) home.
Show led the East with two singles and a run scored. Firestone (Mill Run) had two doubles to help the East’s cause.
The West did not produce that many hits, but designated hitter Alan Smodic (Michael’s Heroes) had two RBIs on the day. Jamie Kowalczyk (Michael’s Heroes) had and RBI and a run scored without picking up a hit as he drew a walk in the second to let a run in and he was hit by a pitch in the fourth and later scored.
Pitching was the story for the West as Latham dominated along with Aaron Gallagher (Michael’s Heroes) who pitched two scoreless innings, and Travis Largent (Waynesburg) who pitched a perfect fifth and a scoreless sixth.