Pitt-Greensburg Defeats Bethany in 12 Inning Thriller
by Matt Ferretti
Box Score
GREENSBURG, Pa: The Pitt-Greensburg baseball team defeated Bethany College 1-0 in a 12 inning, non-conference game on Monday afternoon. This was the first and only game, of a scheduled doubleheader, as the second game was postponed due to the first game running over its expected time. After Monday’s game Pitt-Greensburg finds them at a record of 6-14 overall and 4-4 in conference play, and Bethany has a mark of 3-15 overall and 1-10 in PAC play.
This game classified itself as a pitcher’s duel, and who would argue that with a game that went over the designated seven, by five more innings with a 0-0 tie. Bobcats starting pitcher,
Justin Miller (Pittsburgh, PA, Keystone Oaks), was one half of this duel as he went six scoreless innings scattering four hits and seven walks along the way with the help of great situational pitching and defense. Through the first seven innings of the game, only three half innings saw six batters come the plate. This was due in part not only to the pitching but also the defense of both teams.
There weren’t too many close calls for the Bobcats through the first seven innings but one play in the top of the sixth may have saved the game. Miller walked the first Bethany batter he faced (that runner was then pinch ran for), then he was sacrificed over to second base. The next Bethany batter lined a ball into left field, but an impressive relay from
Steven Anderson (Greensburg, PA, Hempfield) to third baseman
Matt Germanoski (Ellwood City, PA, Ellwood City) lead to the Bethany runner on second to be gunned down at home, preserving the 0-0 tie.
A starter can only do so much to keep his team in a game before it gets turned over to the bullpen, and in this case his teammates followed his performance.
Joe Bon (Pittsburgh, PA, Brashear),
Matt Kloos (Seven Fields, PA, Seneca Valley),
Ryan Dandrea (Irwin, PA, Penn-Trafford), and
Dave Coradi (Cranberry, PA, Seneca Valley) kept the door closed for the remaining 5.1 innings, striking out four batters along the way. As was the theme of the game, obviously one more play was going to stand out defensively for whatever team was going to win. With the winning run on third base and two outs, a ball was lined to the left-center gap only to be caught acrobatically by substitute left fielder,
Anthony Maroadi (North Huntingdon, PA, Norwin).
The demise of Bethany College happened to be the bottom of the 12
th.
Dylin Brooks (Ardara, PA, Norwin) singled to start of the inning, and then was moved over on a sacrifice bunt by
Mike Pearson (Beaver Falls, PA, Blackhawk). Then with a 1-1 count
Dan Moyer (Greensburg, PA, Hempfield) hit a blast to center field that was misplayed by the Bethany centerfielder and dropped, which resulted in Brooks crossing the plate to win the ball game for the Bobcats.
In a game with no offense the game ball has to go to everyone that pitched for the Bobcats. Combined they went 12 innings while only surrendering six hits and striking out four, and beyond the visual stats they all pitched out of some sort of jam while leading Pitt-Greensburg to a much deserved win.
The Bobcats next game will be a non-conference game against neighbor St. Vincent. The game will be held at Latrobe, PA at 3:00 PM.
