May 9, 2007 By Dave Stofcheck 4 min read

COAL CENTER – Whether if it’s with his bat or his left arm, California’s Zack Jeney continues to be a thorn in the side of Geibel Catholic. Jeney struck out 13 Gators, and allowed just one hit, as the Trojans moved closer to the Section 1-A title with a 5-0 victory over Geibel Tuesday at Malden Yards.

California (17-2, 11-2) leads second-place Bentworth by one game heading into today’s regular-season finale with the Bearcats. Earlier this season, Bentworth defeated the defending WPIAL Class A champion Trojans, 10-2, in nine innings.

“It’s a huge game,” said California coach Don Hartman. “Bentworth is an ultra-competitive team. These two groups of kids have been battling each other for championships since Pinto ball.

“It should be a good test. I’m anxious to see what our No.’s 2, 3 and 4 pitchers can do.”

Jeney is not only the Trojans’ ace, but is also one of the best pitchers, regardless of classification, in the WPIAL. On Tuesday, he had a no-hit bid broken up when Brendan Costantino reached base on an infield single with one out in the top of the seventh inning.

Costantino bounced a ball to the right of first baseman Travis VanOlst, who fielded the ball cleanly and underhanded a toss to Jeney, who raced over to cover the bag. Jeney arrived at the same time as Costantino, and after catching VanOlst’s toss, tagged Costantino as he was stepping on first base.

Prior to that point, Jeney had retired 16 straight hitters after Geibel’s Ryan Craft reached base on an error to lead off the top of the second inning.

Jeney threw 86 pitches over seven innings, didn’t walk a batter and only got stronger as the game wore on. His fastball reached 88 mph on the radar gun in both the sixth and seventh innings.

“Zack threw a great game,” Hartman said. “He’s starting to get back into his groove, now that the weather’s been cooperating and he’s pitching on his regular schedule. We want our pitchers to keep their pitch count down and not walk batters.

“Unfortunately, Zack lost the no-hitter, but it was on a great hustling play by Costantino.”

A year ago, Jeney belted a two-run home run in the top of the seventh inning to help California rally past Geibel, 5-4, in the WPIAL championship.

Tuesday’s loss coupled with Carmichaels’ victory over West Greene eliminated Geibel from playoff contention. The Gators (8-9, 7-6) needed to win their final two Section 1-A games, and hope Carmichaels lost against either West Greene or Mapletown.

“Jeney had really good control and a good mix of pitches,” said Gators coach Mark Riggin. “For the young kids seeing him for the first time it was a real eye opener.”

Sophomore right-hander Nolan Zavora suffered the loss, allowing seven hits over six innings. Zavora gave up just two earned runs.

“It probably should have been 2-0 or 3-0 at the worst,” Riggin said. “We’re still making the mental mistakes that young teams make. We’re going to have to eliminate them for next year.

“In this section, it’s a dogfight every game. You always have to bring your ‘A’ game. It wouldn’t surprise me if someone from this section, whether it’s California, Carmichaels or Bentworth, wins the WPIAL title.”

Mike Galis and Matt Hartman each had two hits, scored a run and drove in one as well Tuesday, and leadoff hitter Ben Carson was 1 for 3 with a pair of RBIs.

Galis singled, stole second and scored on Matt Hartman’s single in the bottom of the first inning, then California blew the game open with three unearned runs an inning later.

VanOlst and Wade Stinnett reached base on errors to start the frame, and after Zavora retired the next two hitters, Carson doubled in both runners.

Galis then made it 4-0 with an RBI-single to right-centerfield.

California scored its final run in the bottom of the third inning when Matt Hartman led off with a double, then scored on a Jeney triple.

California’s 1, 2, 3 and 4 hitters were a combined 6 for 7 with five RBIs the first two times through the lineup.