Jeney, Hartman spark California’s first-round PIAA victory
SLIPPERY ROCK – California’s Zack Jeney took the mound Wednesday at Jack Critchfield Stadium in search of personal atonement.
BSeven innings later, Jeney had found his salvation alright, in the form of the almighty strikeout. Jeney struck out 16 West Middlesex batters, and Matt Hartman smacked a two-run home run, as the Trojans topped the Big Red, 6-3, in PIAA Class A first-round action on the campus of Slippery Rock University.
Because Wednesday’s game was played two days later than originally scheduled, California won’t have time to celebrate. The Trojans are back in action today, facing District 9 champion Johnsonburg in the quarterfinals at 4 p.m. at Jack Critchfield Stadium. Johnsonburg defeated Laurel, 2-1, Wednesday.
A week ago, Jeney suffered the loss in the WPIAL title game after allowing five runs over the first two innings against Springdale. After spotting the Dynamos a 5-0 lead, Jeney retired 13 of the final 15 hitters he faced, 10 coming on strikeouts.
The game, and his performance, left a bitter taste in Jeney’s mouth. But on Wednesday, his performance helped ease the sting of that loss.
“I didn’t throw my best game in the WPIAL championship, and today, I wanted a little redemption for myself,” Jeney said. “I’m really just happy that we won.”
A year ago to the day, Jeney struck out a career-high 17 hitters in California’s 3-1 first-round PIAA win over Ridgway. He nearly matched that total against West Middlesex, fanning every Big Red Hitter at least once after beginning the game with five consecutive strikeouts.
West Middlesex’s heart of the lineup – it’s No.’s 3, 4 and 5 hitters – were a combined 1 for 10 and struck out nine times.
“I love playing teams I know nothing about,” Jeney said. “It keeps you pitching your game. Against Springdale, I was thinking I had to do this against one batter, this against another and this against another.
“(Against West Middlesex) it took me a couple innings to figure out what was working. Once you know that, you stick with it.”
Jeney ran into trouble only twice, the first time in the fourth inning when he gave up two runs after walking three hitters, and then in the bottom of the seventh when West Middlesex scored once to pull to within 6-3, before eventually loading the bases with two outs.
But Jeney ended the threat, and the game, when he struck out Big Red cleanup hitter Marco Skarica on three pitches.
“He took it really hard when we lost last week and a lot of people looked at him (as the reason),” said Trojans coach Don Hartman. “I wouldn’t call today redemption, but I think he proved he’s for real. He made some fantastic pitches today.
“I hope it’s not the last time I see him pitch.”
Travis VanOlst’s sacrifice fly to right-centerfield brought home courtesy runner Waugh Carter in the top of the second inning to give California a 1-0 lead. Jeney led off the inning with a double to right-centerfield, and was replaced on the bases by Carter.
In the top of the fourth inning, the Trojans parlayed a Jeney single, a throwing error and a wild pitch by losing pitcher Tyler Gilmore into two more runs and a 3-0 lead.
West Middlesex got two runs back in its half of the fourth when Gilmore singled in Kyle Allen and courtesy runner Kyle Gregorich scored a wild pitch.
In the top of the fifth inning, California’s Ben Carson tripled with one out and scored on Mike Galis’ single to give the Trojans a 4-2 lead.
Hartman then gave California a 6-2 lead in the seventh inning when he blasted a 1-0 Gilmore fastball over the fence in right field.
“These guys have been 40-9 over their careers and they can play the game of baseball,” Don Hartman said. “Matt’s home run was huge. Earlier in the game, he swung at a curve ball on the first pitch of an at bat and grounded out. I told him to be patient. That was a big at bat (in the seventh inning) and he was very patient. He took a first-pitch curveball and sat on a fastball.
“And boy, did he hit it.”
Gilmore went the distance, allowing 10 hits while striking out four and walking three.