Butler, Pa- A five run second inning, coupled with a productive and collaborative effort on the mound, sent Greater Allegheny (32-16) on to the next round of the USCAA Small College World Series with a 6-3 win against the seventh seed from Lindenwood-Belleville (IL).
After a quick one and a half innings, senior second baseman Jason Paris (Houston, PA/Chartiers Houston) reached in the GA second after being hit by a pitch. With one out, junior third baseman Adam Wehr (Orefield, PA/Northwestern Lehigh) reached on a routine fielder's choice, but an error on the LU shortstop allowed Paris to safely move to second. Sophomore catcher Clay Groff (Pittsburgh, PA/Allderdice) followed with an RBI single to right field, giving GA the 1-0 lead.
A hit batter loaded bases, with a fielding error on a bunt from freshman outfielder Alente Johnson (Rochester, PA/Rochester) plating a second run. Senior outfielder Mike Visloski (McDonald, PA/West Allegheny) singled home two more, with the fifth run coming when sophomore outfielder Oliver Girman (Monroeville, PA/Serra Catholic) beat out a potential inning-ending double-play.
Sophomore right-hander Eddie Emes (New Brighton, PA/New Brighton) continued yesterday;s trend of Greater Allegheny pitchers escaping trouble, as he stranded the bases loaded in the Lindenwood fourth. The Lynx finally got on the board in the fifth, following a two-RBI single off Emes. Sophomore right-hander Aaron McGee (Harrison City, PA/Penn-Trafford) entered with one out and quickly doused the remaining threat, leaving a man at third
Paris's sacrifice fly in the home half of the fifth got a run back for GA, setting the score at 6-2. LU answered right back in the sixth with a sacrifice fly of their own, shrinking the margin back to three.
Girman came on from left field to pitch the seventh, and with his quick 1-2-3 inning, sealed the 6-3 win. Emes (5-2) pitched 4.1 innings, surrendering two runs on just three hits while striking out six. Girman earned his third save of the year by pitching a scoreless seventh and also produced a 2-3 effort at the plate with an RBI. Visloski plated two with his lone hit, as Paris and Groff drove in a run each.
GA now awaits the winner of Penn College and Selma (AL), with a 4:30 PM start later this afternoon.
