Moniteau falls to Keystone

By MIKE KILROY Eagle Staff Writer

May 04, 2004 Last Updated: January 06, 2005 12:14 PM High School

CHERRY TWP - Buck Neely had never pitched before.

That could have fooled Moniteau.

The Warriors were held to one hit through four innings against the Keystone right-hander and launched a rally that was too little, too late in a 5-3 home baseball loss Monday.

Moniteau (6-9) also finished a game against Keystone that was suspended in the bottom of the first inning earlier in the season and lost 13-0 in five innings.

Neely, who is a standout catcher for the Panthers, gave up a first-inning single to Garth Kohlmeyer and didn't give up another hit until Travis Shaffer tripled to lead off the fifth inning.

"It was hard for me to bring him out from behind the plate," said Keystone coach Bill Irwin. "He's going on to college to catch, but we have seven games this week. We need arms."

Neely's proved to be a welcome one against Moniteau, which got to him in the sixth inning, scoring two runs to cut the Keystone lead to 4-3.

But Cole Bowser relieved him and kept Moniteau at bay for his fourth save this season for the Panthers (7-2).

Clay Kohlmeyer started for Moniteau, and, after a rough start, cruised the rest of the way.

Kohlmeyer gave up three runs in the first inning and allowed a leadoff triple to Billy Colwell to start the second inning.

But Kohlmeyer, working extremely quickly, was able to strand Colwell at first and didn't give up another hit until Chase Lee put down a perfect bunt with two outs in the sixth.

"I don't know about the slow start," said Moniteau coach Arnie Trufley. "Maybe he didn't warm up enough."

But once he got going, Keystone struggled.

"He's a four-year letterman," Trufley said. "He doesn't lose his cool. He always keeps us in the game."

Garth Kohlmeyer continued his assault on pitchers this season. The Moniteau catcher raised his batting average to .512 (21-of-41) this season with a 2-for-3 afternoon.

Neither Kohlmeyer has gotten much rest recently.

Moniteau has played nine games in the last eight days, including a doubleheader Saturday.

"Unfortunately, I can't give Garth a rest, even though I'd like to," Trufley said. "I have no backup catcher. Every pitcher we throw, they pretty much have to go the distance."

Keystone 300 001 1 - 5 11 2

Moniteau 000 012 0 - 3 5 4

WP:

Buck Neely (5

IP) 3 strikeouts, 1 walk.

LP:

Clay Kohlmeyer (7 IP) 6 strikeouts, 2 walks

Keystone (6-2):

Billy Colwell 3B; Shawn McGranaghan 2-1B; Brandon Courson 1B; Neely 1B, 2-RBI; Cole Bowser 2B, 1B; Pete Lutz 1B, RBI; Chase Lee 2-1B; Dan Irwin 1B

Moniteau (6-8):

Josh Houlone 1B, RBI; Garth Kohlmeyer 2-1B; Nathan Markle 1B; Travis Shaffer 3B

Suspended game