Saturday, May 12, 2012
by WVIAC (Brent Hager)

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – A-B couldn't overcome Tyler Kincaid’s tremendous effort on the mound as Fairmont State got past Alderson-Broaddus by a 6-4 count on Day 2 from the WVIAC Tournament.

The Falcons plated runs in each of the first three innings, taking a 5-0 lead through the sixth.

FSU added a sixth run in the top of the seventh.

The main story on offense was Jimmy Earp. He reached in the first and stole home for the game’s first run. Nick Hallis’ sacrifice fly scored Trevor Funk for a 2-0 lead.  

In the second, Shaun Vernesoni’s double scored Tyler Lucas. Vernesoni then scored on Greg Hawkins’ single for a 4-0 advantage. Funk scored on a sacrifice fly in the third for a 5-0 lead by the Falcons.

Earp scored in the seventh on an error. He reached on a single, swiped second and went to third on a wild pitch.

The Battlers made things interesting in the eighth. Sean Collette led off with a single to right. David Bryan’s single and Mitch Roy’s base knock loaded the bases and chased Tyler Kincaid off the mound for the Falcons. Bobby McLaughlin’s sacrifice fly plated Collette, making the score 6-1.

A-B tacked on three more runs in the frame to make it 6-4. After holding the Falcons scoreless in their half of the ninth, the Battlers had one last chance.

A-B had the tying run at the plate in the ninth, but FSU managed to get the last out for the victory.

Starter Kyle Oney took the loss going 7 innings, giving up 6 runs, 5 earned on 8 hits.  The Ohio native struck out 8 while walking just one.

Day 3 will see Alderson-Broaddus take on South Division Champs WV Wesleyan.  To Advance to Sunday's Championship Game, The Battlers will need to defeat the Bobcats and then hope for a Concord victory over Fairmont State in the night cap.   First pitch is scheduled for 4:30.