Thanks in large part to a freak play, Jamie Levinson did not pick up a victory on the mound in the Tyrone Legion’s 7-6 George B. Kelley Federation season-opening win over Juniata VFW, but his double at the plate with two outs in the bottom of the seventh to score Tyler Golden gave the hometown entry a walk-off win.
With the Legion leading 6-5 in the top of the seventh inning, Wes Plummer doubled, and Tim Eck reached on an error to put runners at first and third with no outs. Golden relieved Levinson, who struck out nine on the day, and preserved the lead by striking out the next two batters. However, with an 0-2 count on Bill Moschella, Golden was unable to handle a ball thrown back to the mound, and Plummer scored to tie the game.
“Tyler was throwing the ball the best I have ever seen him throw it,” Tyrone Legion Manager Mike Boytim said. “It was disappointing the way it turned out, but Tyler kept his head up and scored the game winning run in the bottom of the inning.”
The Tyrone Legion overcame a deficit of their own in the first inning when they matched Juniata VFW’s two-run first with one of their own.
Golden doubled, and Levinson brought him home with a RBI single. After stealing second, Levinson scored on Jesse Hertzler’s RBI single.
After falling behind 3-2, Tyrone recaptured the lead on a Shane Tate two-run double that scored Levinson and Tyler Hoover in the bottom of the third.
Protecting the lead, Levinson cruised through the middle innings, striking out five and not allowing a walk or a hit in the third through fifth innings. However, the Tyrone Legion committed three errors to give Juniata VFW base runners.
“While those errors didn’t come back to haunt us as runs in those innings, they made Jamie throw some extra pitches that hurt him when he was trying to finish up the game,” Boytim said.
Tate, playing in his first George B. Kelley Federation game, was at the plate in the fourth inning when Tyrone extended their lead to 6-3. Tate reached on an error with two outs that scored pinch runner Robert Emigh and Brock Anders.
Juniata VFW inched within one with two runs in the sixth inning highlighted by a Marcus Townsend double.
Levinson’s walk-off double came moments after Juniata VFW pitcher Wes Plummer threw a wild pitch that allowed Golden to move into scoring position.
Plummer took over the mound duties in the fourth inning and limited the Tyrone Legion to one run in three innings. Plummer’s success was closely linked with his control. The Juniata VFW hurler did not walk a batter until the final inning, which led to the eventual game-winner.
Hertzler, Tate and Levinson all had two hits, with Levinson and Tate picking up two RBIs each.
“Tyler Golden and Jamie Levinson picked each other up very well in this game, both at the plate and on the mound, but another key to the victory was Jesse and Shane at the bottom of the lineup completing the rallies,” Boytim said.
The Tyrone Legion will travel to Martinsburg Saturday for their second game as they visit Barkman Oil (1-0). First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
Sprankle’s Auto Outlet Notes: Tyler Hoover walked in his first three plate appearances… Ben Lynn was hit by two pitches after being hit by two pitches in the season opener one year ago… The win marked the second straight season opening win with Levinson on the mound… With the bases loaded in the third inning, Justin Schopp was robbed of a multi-RBI hit when his hard-hit liner was snagged out of the air. Tyler Golden struck out all three batters he faced to pick up the victory.
Tyrone Legion 7 Juniata VFW 6
JUNIATA VFW – Townsend, cf, 4-1-1; Partner, ss, 3-1-1; Mills, rf, 4-1-1; Plummer, 3b-p, 4-1-2; Eck, 2b-3b, 3-0-0; Payne, c, 4-0-0; Gallardy, 1b, 4-0-0; Hammel, p, 0-0-0; Carruthers, cr, 0-1-0; Moshella, p, 3-0-1; Briggs, lf, 3-1-2. TOTALS 32-6-8.
TYRONE LEGION – Schopp, cf, 3-0-1; Golden, ss-p, 5-2-1; Levinson, p-ss, 5-2-2; Hoover, 1b, 1-1-0; Emigh, pr, 0-1-0; Anders, c, 3-1-1; Hertzler, 3b, 3-0-2; Tate, lf, 4-0-2; Morrow, dh, 0-0-0; Conrad, rf, 3-0-0; Lynn, 2b, 2-0-0. TOTALS 29-7-9.
Juniata VFW 210 002 1 6-8-2
Tyrone Legion 202 200 1 7-9-5
2B: Townsend, Mills, Plummer, Tate, Golden, Levinson.
RBI: Plummer 2, Partner, Briggs, Levinson 2, Tate 2, Hertzler.
SO: Plummer 3, Moshella 1, Hammel 1, Levinson 9, Golden 3.
BB: Moshella 5, Hammel 2, Plummer 1, Levinson 3.
WP: Golden LP: Plummer.
