Gales, Irish provide plenty of sparks during 'Batting for Ben' benefit
By SEAN GOLDEN
Sports Writer
spgolden@nncogannett.com


LANCASTER - On a day where it was evident that there's plenty more to life than baseball, the events between the lines were pretty entertaining.

Saturday's game was the third and final of the day's benefit tripleheader, staged for former Irish teacher and coach Ben Thimmes, who was diagnosed with Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis in June of 2007.




Lancaster began their offensive explosion with just a small spark, but got seven combined runs in back-to-back big innings to top Fisher Catholic 10-5.

"Hitting is contagious," Gales coach Nate Conrad said. "One guy gets going, and then another guy gets going."
After the Irish put two runs on the board thanks to an RBI-double by Matt Slykerman and an RBI-single by Andrew Bowes, Lancaster left four runners on base in its next two at-bats.

An infield single by David Stump to begin the fourth inning looked like it might go to waste after Fisher Catholic starter Pat Saum retired the next two batters.

But things fell apart after that for the Irish, as the Gales strung together a balk and three singles - all with two outs - to score four and take control of the game at 5-2.

"Once you get the lead and start putting guys on base, then you can be a little more aggressive," Conrad said. "You can dictate the pace that the game's going to be played. If we can get to that point, then we're a good team."

In its next at-bat, Lancaster bashed three straight singles, including a two-run knock up the middle by Kyle Studer.

All in all, Lancaster smacked nine hits in the fourth and the fifth inning combined, taking a firm hold on the game's momentum.

Irish coach John Joyce said Saturday's game illustrated a trend he has seen this season with his team.

"All year, our Achilles heel has been not making the play when we need to and not getting the big hit when we need to," Joyce said. "Consequently, it's been the other way around."

Jeremy Joyce came on in relief of Saum in the fifth inning, making a second appearance after starting in a loss to Fairfield Union earlier in the day.

Kyle Studer took a Joyce pitch into center field for a two-run single in the fifth that helped put the game firmly out of reach at 8-2 after five.

Sean Gorby worked out of jams for most of the day on the mound for Lancaster.

Gorby said his solid six-inning outing was not any of his doing.

"The curveball wasn't working well," Gorby said. "I would say it was probably my worst outing of the season."

Centerfielder Donnie Roshon made a running grab to rob Irish slugger Nick Orlando of extra bases in the third inning.

Gorby said plays like that kept him on the mound and in control.

"It was all my defense," Gorby said. "When things aren't working, they do the job."

Andrew Bowes was a bright spot for the Irish, going 3-for-4 and driving in two runs.

"He's on fire right now," John Joyce said. "When he gets into one of those grooves, he can hit the ball like that."

Fisher Catholic added on two more in the seventh, but couldn't muster enough of a rally after loading the bases in its final at-bat.

Saturday's tripleheader involving Lancaster, Fairfield Union and Fisher Catholic was dubbed "Batting for Ben," and Thimmes and his family were introduced prior to the Irish and Gales facing off on the field.

"We're out here as a tribute to Ben," Conrad said. "Ben is always wanting to help everyone out and always positive. I know Ben loved sitting over there and watching it. I'm sure there's nowhere else he'd rather be than out here."



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