Wolves win in extra innings at AC Valley
A two hour road trip on a Saturday morning to face a hungry Allegheny-Clarion Valley team proved to be a challenge for the Kane Wolves baseball team. The talented Kane squad faced adversity and battled for nine innings, overcoming a 5-0 deficit after five, for the 7-5 win. The game was played in Butler, PA at Pullman Park.
Andy Jekielek got the start for Kane and went four innings allowing four runs (1 earned) on three hits with two walks and a strikeout. Harley Morris picked up the win in relief allowing only one run on two hits with five walks and nine Ks in five innings.
Sophomore Ryan Cooper took the loss on the hill for the AC Valley Falcons. He allowed six runs on four hits with three walks and three strikeouts in four innings. Kane did not score until the sixth inning. Cooper also had three hits and scored a run for the Falcons. Gary Amsler had the other two AC Valley hits.
The Wolves ended with five hits on the day led by Morris with two hits and two RBIs. Carson Whiteman had a hit and scored two runs. Justin Peterson ended with a hit, run scored and an RBI. Reese Novosel added a hit and a key RBI.
The Wolves were held scoreless through the first five innings. AC Valley's Riley Bauer scored in the second after an error to give the Falcons a 1-0 lead. The home team added three more in the third aided by a walk and an error for a 4-0 lead.
Jekielek set the Falcons down in order in the fourth. The Wolves were also held scoreless. Morris replaced Jekielek in the fifth inning. Cooper singled and later scored to put the home team up 5-0.
With only six outs remaining, the Wolves were facing an uphill battle and responded in the top of the sixth. Whiteman led off with a walk. Peterson followed with a big double to center scoring Whiteman. Rumcik reached on a catcher's interference. Bryce Bizzak reached on an error that scored Peterson. A fielder's choice off the bat of Landon Darr scored Rumcik. Luke Ely walked and Morris followed with a clutch single to center scoring two and tying the game at 5.
Neither team scored in the seventh, sending the game to extra frames. Morris was strong over the final four innings he pitched, holding the Falcons without a run. After a scoreless eighth inning for both teams the Wolves put up a pair in the top of the ninth.
With one out, Whiteman doubled to center field. After the second out, Rumcik reached on an error scoring Whiteman. Novosel singled scoring Rumcik giving Kane a 7-5 lead.
After walking the Falcon's lead-off hitter in the bottom of the ninth, Morris followed with two ground ball outs and a big strikeout to give the Wolves the 7-5 win.
Kane, now 6-1 and winners of six straight games, will face Bradford at home on Monday.