Mars slams Saxonburg

By SAM TALLARICO Eagle Staff Writer

June 22, 2004 Last Updated: January 06, 2005 12:14 PM Amateur

MARS - It's taken Mars 11 games, but the squad finally got its lineup in order - and put it on display Monday.

Matt Sondej had a two-run homer and a two-run double, and Paul Westwood had three singles and three RBI to power Mars to a 12-7 victory over Saxonburg in Eagle County League baseball.

Mars banged out 14 hits in improving to 5-6 after beginning the year at 0-3.

"We've had some adversity," said Mars coach Mike Sheehy, namely losing No. 1 starter Rob Fester to a knee injury in the first inning of the first game this season and Chris Kelly, who moved to another team.

"We still have a lineup, pound for pound, as good as anyone else. Everyone asks us what's wrong with Mars, but we're leading the league in runs.

"We've had some guys on vacation, but we had our lineup tonight and that lineup's going to be around the rest of the year," Sheehy added.

A two-run single by Westwood in the first inning staked Mars to an early 2-0 lead.

Saxonburg cut that in half as pitcher Jason Dohlmayer had a two-out RBI single before Jason Curry hit a solo home run in the third inning to knot the game at 2.

Mars, however, added two runs in the third inning and three more in the fourth for a 7-2 lead.

Ryan Salazar's RBI double in the third and a two-run homer by Sondej and a solo shot by Greg Schuetz highlighted those frames.

Mars held a 12-4 lead entering the seventh inning before Saxonburg mounted one last drive.

The first five players reached base safely and a two-run double by Curry and a wild pitch made it 12-7 with no one out, but Mars hurler Brian Zima struck out Matt DeSantis, then walked Steve Hall to load the bases.

Zima, though, struck oout Tim Nebel and induced Adam Coco to ground out to end the game.

"A hit and we would have been right back in it," said Saxonburg coach Dan Cunningham.

"Mike told me they had their whole team back, so he's pretty happy."

Saxonburg 011 011 3 - 7 9 2

Mars I 202 332 x - 12 14 1

WP:

Brian Zima (7 IP) 6 strikeouts, 6 walks.

LP:

Jason Dohlmayer (6 IP) 7 strikeouts, 7 walks

Saxonburg (7-3-2):

Brendan Malone 2B, 2-1B; Curt Schnur 1B; Sandy Sanderson 1B; Matt DeSantis 2B; Steve Hall RBI; Jason Dohlmayer 1B, RBI; Jason Curry HR, 2B, 4 RBI

Mars (5-6):

Rob Ronk 1B; Greg Schuetz 1B, HR; Mike Sheehy 2B; Paul Westwood 3-1B, 3 RBI; Greg Reinhart 2-1B;Ryan Salazar 2-1B, RBI; Ron Talik RBI; Matt Sondej Hr, 2B, 4 RBI; Shawn Nething 1B, RBI

Zelienople 000 000 1 - 1 5 4

Freeport 011 001 x - 3 5 0

WP:

Chris McCartney (7 IP) 4 strikeouts, 1 walk.

LP:

Aaron Fassinger (6 IP) 10 strikeouts, 0 walks

Zelienople (7-5):

Marty Pegher 2-1B

Freeport (10-2):

Chris Shearer 2B, 1B, 2-RBI; Ken Bissell 2B

Butler 002 022 0 - 6 9 2

Natrona 300 000 0 - 3 6 3