Selinsgrove Survives Central Mountain Rally, 8-6

By Tom Elling

MILL HALL-Selinsgrove came to town with a 9-game winning streak, including a 4-2, March 27th win over the Wildcats. That, by the way, was the only blemish on the local’s record. 

Central Mountain had also put on a winning streak of seven consecutive wins. Both teams were 9-1 and Coach Mike Kramer’s team was looking for a little revenge on their home field. And to add to the drama, both teams put their aces on the mound.

The Seals struck first scoring two unearned runs in the first. That damage came after two strike-outs by Wildcat hurler Brady Myers. Three errors and a single by three-sport standout Tucker Teats produced the runs.

The Seals extended their lead in the top of the second as third sacker Griffin Parker drilled a shot into the parking lot in left. After consultation by the umpires, that blast was ruled a home run and gave the visitors another run. There might have been more scoring had not rifle-armed Kevin Grenninger fired a lazer to catcher Watt Probst, who tagged out Ryan Gavason. Gavason had walked and was sacrificed to second. He tried to score on a single  by Domaracki but was cut down by the throw.

Central Mountain got on the ‘board in the bottom of the 3rd. Gardy Fravel  singled past the shortstop. After a fly out, Blake Walker and Elek Fravel worked back-to-back walks. Selinsgrove’s LHP Josh Domaracki whiffed his 5th batter and appeared to be out of the inning, getting ahead 1-2 on catcher Watt Probst. Probst found a fast ball to his liking and smashed a two-RBI single to left. That made the score 3-2.

Myers enjoyed his first 1-2-3 inning in the 4th. Domaracki did likewise against the Wildcats in the bottom of the inning. 

The top of the 5th created a seemingly little trouble for Myers, He gave up a lead-off single to Caleb Hicks, induced a fly-out to center and then walked Ben Gearhart before getting a fly to right. Kevin Grenninger put himself in great position to make the throw back and once again uncorked a strike to third base not allowing the runners to advance. Once again an infield error prolonged the inning. The bases were loaded and the count was 1-2 on Owen Santiago, a batter Myers had ‘K-ed’ twice. Myers gave Santiago too good a pitch and the designated hitter crushed a bases-loaded triple over Grenninger’s head in right. To put another finger in the Wildcats’ eye, Selinsgrove worked a double steal, Santiago scoring as the CM infield got the final out on a run-down play.

Grenninger was called on to relieve in the 6th as Myers had reached his 100-pitch limit. The lefty set the Seals down in order. Seals’ pitcher Domaracki also reached that mark after getting two out in the 6th. Coach Brett Beiler called on right hander Gearhart to take the mound. One pitch – one out 

Neither team scored in the 6th, but Selinsgrove extended their lead , 8-2 in the top of the 7th. Gearhart singled and moved to second on a balk. After two outs were recorded, it was Santiago again getting a clutch RBI with a single to center. The Seals led 8-2.

The Wildcats made the game interesting as they plated four runs in the last of the 7th off reliever Gearhart. Two walks sandwiched by a fly out and a strike-out put the team’s chances in jeopardy. But another walk and a hit batsman produced a run. Elek Fravel getting an RBI the hard way as he was nicked with the bases loaded. Malaky Moyd delivered a single to right that scored two more. Watt Probst followed by getting hit by a pitch. Both advanced on a wild pitch. The tying runs were in scoring position, but Gearhart regained composure and got a fly to right to ‘seal’ the win.

Domaracki got the win. He had seven strikeouts and allowed just two runs (both earned). Myers took the loss. The righty struck out 7 and gave up seven runs- six of which were unearned.

Coach Kramer lamented that his team uncharacteristically committed several errors giving away too many runs. But he was pleased that the team didn’t quit. 

“I told the team we can’t get too low when we lose a game and not too high when we win. We faced an outstanding pitcher today. He had command and used his sharp-breaking curve to keep us off balance.”

Brady (Myers) is a workhorse. He never lost his composure and kept shrugging off the misfortunes.

The line was Selinsgrove 8 runs on 8 hits and 2 errors; the ‘Cats 6 runs on 3 hits and 4 errors.

Kramer’s team heads to Wingate tomorrow to face rugged Bald Eagle Area.