Jersey Shore/GSV forces second game for title

LOYALSOCK - Sometimes when a team is against the wall it can come up with the most magnificent of performances. The loss to Keystone 3-2 Monday made Friday's game a possible elimination contest for Jersey Shore/ GSV. GSV responded brilliantly, taking advantage of a quick start to blow by Keystone 13-1, Friday in Loyalsock.

The incredible turn around performance by the GSV bats should provide them with the momentum as they head for the third and final game of their series with the Keystone All-Stars.

"It was just surprising, to be honest with you," Shore manager Steve Huling said. "We knew that they had a good team. We just got up early and never looked back."

Shore got to work right away. Lead-off hitter Ryan Yost hit into an error at shortstop, and Eric Huling and Boone Costa loaded the bases. Keystone pitcher Zach Skrtich struggled to find the strike zone early and GSV cashed in on the opportunity.

Dylan Hamm batted in the first two runs of the game on a single. With the bases loaded again, Skrtich walked Ty Meeker and scored another run. After Hamm scored on a wild pitch, Tommy Glunk hit a sacrifice fly to center field, and GSV led 5-0 after a half inning of play.

Keystone had difficulty responding to the early deficit because Shore's Matt Marshall was getting the Keystone batters to hit directly into the defense.

After Marshall held Keystone hitless in the first inning, GSV continued with their offensive onslaught. Yost reached on another error and, after a hit batsman, Shore's Brody Smith ripped a two-run double for a 7-0 lead.

GSV wasn't comfortable with just a seven-run lead, and the next three runs came from a familiar place. With two on, Hamm returned to the plate and he hammered a shot well over the fence in left field to put his team up 10-0.

Hamm finished the night 3-for-3 with five RBI.

"Everything we were throwing at them they just hit hard. They did a great job," Keystone manager Matt Kerstetter said.

With the big lead, Steve Huling made a wise strategical move in the bottom of the second. Knowing that Marshall was near the 20-pitch limit for a hurler to pitch the next day, he needed to take his starting pitcher out and save him for today's game.

"That wasn't our initial intention," coach Huling said. "As the game went on, we felt that we had the pitchers on our side to hang on so we could save Marshall for tomorrow."

The decision paid off as Marshall's replacement, Smith, finished the second inning, holding Keystone scoreless.

In a rarity at any level of baseball, both teams were even in hits with seven a piece. However, one would have difficulty believing that because of the score.

Shore simply came up with more extra base hits - Keystone had none to Shore's three - and took advantage of the early baserunners.

Keystone scored its only run in the bottom of the third, stringing together three hits in a row as Toner Corl crossed the plate.

Shore erased that run and some in the next inning. No. 9 hitter Trey Newcomer hit a two run homer and GSV led 13-1, putting them three outs away from ending the game after four innings.

Though this was a devastating loss for Keystone, it still have one more shot to beat GSV as the series between the two teams is 1-1 in the District 12 tournament.

"Hopefully we can get in the box and be a little more patient next time," Kerstetter said. "This is a tough group, I know they will step it up and rebound."

DISTRICT 12 10-11 BASEBALL

at Loyalsock

JERSEY SHORE/GSV 13, KEYSTONE 1,

4 innings

J 560 2 - 13 7 0

K 001 0 - 1 7 3

J: Marshall, Smith (2) and Yost. K: Skrtich 1, Watson, Hanley 2 1/3, Corl 2/3 and Kerstetter. WP: Marshall LP: Skrtich. HR: J, Hamm, Newcomer. 2B: J, Smith. MH: J, Hamm 3.