Mustangs rout Scotties in non-section game, 8-1
Colin McKee started on the mound for Laurel Highlands during the Mustangs' non-section game with Southmoreland Friday at Alverton. McKee earned the win.
Laurel Highlands' Mike Bochnak (16) is picked off at first base as Southmoreland first baseman Mark McCracken prepares to apply the tag. Bochnak was the fourth base runner for Mustangs to be picked off during the game at Alverton Friday.
Southmoreland's Ben Hoadwonic (12) leaps into the air to avoid a tag from Laurel Highlands' Anthony Molchin (10) during their non-section game Friday at Alverton.
ALVERTON — Laurel Highlands used timely hitting and the combined four-hit pitching of Colin McKee and Anthony Hanula on Friday as the Mustangs defeated Southmoreland, 8-1, for their first win of the season.
The Mustangs’ first five batters singled, with Drew Yauger scoring on a hit by Ted Sova. Sova and Jake Riddell were driven in by Mike Patricelli, and courtesy runner Drew DeBerry scored when Anthony Molchan hit into a double play.
Southmoreland pitcher Coty Villinger escaped further damage by ending the inning on the first of four pickoffs in consecutive innings.
Laurel Highlands (1-5) added two runs in the third when Sova and Riddell both singled for the second time and Patricelli was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Jake Kearns walked to drive in Sova and Molchan’s sacrifice fly drove in Riddell.
Southmoreland (1-3) scored its only run in the fourth when Mike Baird walked and Chas King got his second single. Two batters later, Bo Datz hit into a force out as Baird scored.
Mike Bochnak led off the LH seventh with his second single and Yauger doubled one out later. Sova’s third single drove in Bochnak and Riddell’s sacrifice fly drove in Yauger.
Laurel Highlands coach Tom Landman said the quick start helped the Mustangs take control of the game.
“We scored some runs in the first with some key hits. It was a great start and Colin and Anthony did a good job of throwing strikes, and our defense played really well.”
Though he wasn’t happy with having four runners picked off first base, Landman gave credit to Villinger, saying, “He kept us off balance by picking some of our runners off.”
Landman said Sova made a key play on a ball hit up the middle by Villinger with runners on first and third in the Southmoreland fourth inning for a force play at second to end the inning.
“This was or sixth game and we lost a few two-run games and another game by three runs. We have young kids who we hope will come along as the season goes on. We have a big section opener Monday at Albert Gallatin. It’s always a rivalry game and we’re looking forward to it.”
“Those four pickoffs were something,” said Southmoreland coach Brian Shipley. “That’s the first time I’ve seen four pickoffs ever by the same pitcher. We gave up a lot of runs in the first inning and some were on seeing-eye singles. Other than the first inning we played better. We had no errors and our defense played well.”
Baseball Linescore
Non-section
Laurel Highlands-402-000-2 – 8 13 0
Southmoreland-000-100-0 – 1 4 0
W: Colin McKee. L: Coty Villinger. 2B: Drew Yauger (LH). LOB: Laurel Highlands 3, Southmoreland 8. DP: Southmoreland 1. Records: Southmoreland (1-3); Laurel Highlands (1-5).