Busy base-running works for Planets
ADAMS TWP — As the catcher for a very talented pitching staff, Jack Anderson is used to being in the middle of things for Mars' baseball team.
On Wednesday, along with his duties behind the plate, he found himself busy on the base paths.
Anderson reached base in all three of his plate appearances, thanks to two walks and a single, stole second base in each instance and scored three runs.
The effort helped the Planets erase a 3-0 deficit en route to a 5-3 section victory over Fox Chapel, which keeps alive the Planets' hopes of sharing the Section 1-5A title.
“A lot of teams put in a courtesy runner for their catcher,” said Mars coach Andy Bednar, “but Jack has great speed and he's very knowledgeable running the bases. I wouldn't be surprised at all if he's leading us in stolen bases.”
Anderson's last stolen base and run scored of the game came in the bottom of the sixth inning. With the game knotted at 3-3, he drew a lead-off walk from Fox Chapel reliever Alex Miles.
After swiping second, Will Bednar singled and Tyler Kowalkowski was hit by a pitch to load the bases. Miles was on the verge of escaping the jam, but Joe Craska lofted a two-out, two-run base hit to right that put the Planets up for good at 5-3.
The Planets (10-5, 8-3) can claim a share of the section title if Fox Chapel defeats North Hills Friday and Mars beats Hampton on Monday.
Read more about the game in Thursday's Butler Eagle.
