It was all over after one inning at Bellwood’s Stadium Drive baseball field on Thursday evening. Martin Oil sent 18 batters to the plate combining eight Martin Oil hits and five Sheetz errors to score 12 runs in the first inning and cruised to a 16-3 mercy-rule win in five innings.
Everybody in the Martin Oil lineup batted twice with Dan Houser and Damion Miller delivering the biggest blows, back-to-back two-run singles. All nine players in the starting lineup reached base safely at least once via hit or walk. Damion Miller had a pair of singles and three RBIs, Nate Carlson knocked in two runs and Zach Stere, Derrick Miller and Matt Albright each drove in one run.
Cory Daly pitched the complete game victory for Martin Oil, allowing three runs on four hits, striking out six and walking two.
Sheetz bunched three straight hits and all of their runs in the third inning.
Ed Feathers and Cory Fatigante drew back-to-back walks to open the inning and with one out, Sam Modico, Gregg Meloy and Matt Massaro each singled in one run. Daly got cleanup hitter Jeremiah Champeno to hit into an inning-ending double play that went shortstop Zach Stere-to second baseman Adam DeArmitt-to first baseman Dan Houser.
Martin Oil went on the war path again after Sheetz cut their lead to 12-3 in the top of the third.
In the bottom of the inning, Martin Oil pushed across four more runs.
Chris McDaniel was hit by a pitch to begin the frame. With one out, Dan Graham received a four-pitch walk. A single by Adam DeArmitt loaded the bases with two out. Houser drilled a double on one hop to the fence in straight-a-way centerfield to score McDaniel and Graham. DeArmitt scored on an error and Stere singled to right to drive home Houser.
“The kids finally started to come out of their funk with the bats tonight,” explained Martin Oil manager Ed Davis. “We got 12 runs there in the first inning to give Cory a lot of support. We stretched him a little bit more tonight, pitching him the entire five innings. He only gave up four hits and gave us another solid job on the mound. We have said it all along, pitching is the key and Cory kept it going tonight.”
The top of the Martin Oil lineup produced for really the first time in the season for undefeated Martin Oil (6-0). The top four went a collective nine for 13 (.692) with nine runs scored and reached base 13 times. Dan Houser went three-for-three with a walk, three runs scored and four RBIs in the leadoff spot. Damion Miller had a three-for-four night with two runs scored and three RBIs. Zach Stere was two-for-three with two runs scored and two driven in. Nate Carlson went one for three with two runs scored and two RBIs.
“The bats came alive for us, Danny Houser and Damion Miller each had three big hits, Zach Stere had a couple and Nate had a big hit. The young guys, we had a chance to get in, did well. Adam DeArmiit came up with a hit, Chris McDaniels had a good hit. It was a good game all the way around.”
Sam Modico led Sheetz (2-8) with a single, double for two of his tam’s four base hits and one RBI.
“I think every fan of Martin Oil baseball should know,” Davis announced. “We would like to congratulate coach Tim Kovac and his wife Lisa on the announcement they are going to have a new baby.”
Martin Oil is back in action tonight at Bellwood against Corporal Miller. Game time is set for 6 p.m.
Martin Oil 16 Sheetz 3
SHEETZ – Modico, cf, 3-1-2; Meloy, 3b, 3-0-1; Massaro, ss, 3-0-1; Champeno, lf, 2-0-0; Nail, p-1b, 2-0-0; Dillen, 2b, 2-0-0; Massar, 2b, 0-0-0; Feathers, rf, 0-1-0; Rhoa, rf, 0-0-0; Fantigante, c, 1-1-0; Schnabelt, 1b-p, 2-0-0. TOTALS 18-2-4.
MARTIN OIL – Houser, cf-1b, 3-3-3; Da. Miller, rf-cf, 4-2-3; Stere, ss, 3-2-2; Treese, 3b, 0-0-0; Carlson, 1b, 3-2-1; J. Graham, cr-rf, 1-1-0; De. Miller, lf, 2-1-1; McDaniels, cr-lf, 1-1-1; Daly, p, 2-0-0; Weiand, ph, 1-0-0; D. Graham. 2b-3b-ss, 2-2-1; Albright, c, 4-0-1; Alley, 3b, 1-1-0; DeArmitt, 2b, 2-1-1. TOTALS 29-16-14.
Sheetz 003 00 3-4-5.
Martin Oil (12)04 0X 16-14-0.
2B: Modico 1, Houser 1.
RBI: Modico 1, Meloy 1, Massaro 1, Houser 4, Da. Miller 3, Stere 2, Carlson 2, De. Miller 1, Albright 1.
SO: Schnabelt 2, Daly 6.
BB: Nail 3, Schnabelt 2, Daly 2.
WP: Daly LP: Nail.
