USC's Bats Too Much for Pine-Richland in 11-8 Win

Upper St. Clair followed Thursday's 2-1 loss to Bethel Park by breaking out the bats and scoring in every inning but the second. It was a great response to their weakest offensive output of the season.

Nineteen runs would be scored in a game played in extreme wind. Fly balls were an adventure, but handled nicely by both teams. The Panthers' twelve hits were good for eleven of those runs in an 11-8 victory.

USC Manager Jerry Malarkay decided to start the game with Steve Gannon on the mound. Perhaps showing a display of confidence after he surrendered four walks in 2/3 of an inning yesterday at Bethel Park. The run he was charged with was a costly one in the 2-1 loss.

Gannon rewarded his manager by pitching a scoreless first inning, allowing his offense to get on the board first.

USC's Matt Garbin doubled home two runs in the first inning and the Panthers had a  2-0 lead.

Gannon pitched well until the third inning when Pine-Richland's Zach Sharrer hit a two-run homer to left-field that game the Rams a 3-2 lead. Gannon pitched three innings giving up three runs.

USC quickly tied it up in their half of the third. Mike Browne scored from first on a single to right-center by Garbin. He was going all the way taking a little bit of a gamble, but it paid off when the relay was bobbled by the second baseman. The hustle play tied the game, and Zach Tobias added a clutch 2-out RBI single to give the Panthers a 4-3 lead.

Steve Krolesyk came in and pitched for USC in the top of the fourth and his nerves were tested immediately. After an infield single and a fielder's choice— the Rams had two men on and nobody out. Jack Hudak tried to bunt the players over, but Zach Tobias never covered first base, and Krolesyk threw the ball into right field.  After the merry-go-round stopped, Pine-Richland had a 5-4 lead. Krolesyk eventually settled down, picked off a runner and got out of the inning.

USC played some small-ball of their own in the bottom of the fourth. After a walk, Mike Wilcox bunted for a hit. After a wild pitch Erik Wolstem lined one to left, but Troy Schoeppner was hesitant in his decision to tag up and had to stay at third. 

Sometimes those small mistakes can cost you a game – not tonight. The very next pitch Mike Browne homered to left field just inside the foul pole. That 3-run shot gave USC the lead for good 7-5.

Erik Wolstem and Mike Browne added RBI singles in the fifth to give the Panthers a comfortable 10-5 lead. However, wasn't comfortable for long.

Krolesyk ran into trouble in the top of the sixth as the Rams plated three runners and had the tying run at the plate in Zach Sharrer. For the second straight plate appearance Sharrer sent it deep to center, but both times Mike Wilcox made great plays for the out. The Panthers added one of their own in the sixth and lead 11-8 going into the final inning.

Drama continued to follow the Panthers in the ninth inning. The first two hitters for Pine-Richland got on base, with tying run at bat with nobody out.

Coach Malarkay called in Erik Wolstrem to close this one out. He struck out Shane Heim in a competitive 10-pitch at-bat. Then, after getting Mike Wood to foul out to first, Jack Hudak grounded out weakly to second base to finally end the game.

Upper St. Clair won to improve to 2-1 in district play. 

Weather permitting, the Panthers have another make-up game Saturday afternoon at home. The scheduled time for the game is 1:30 p.m., but with bad weather approaching it appears that game will be postponed once again.