FAIRVIEW TWP — Going to the bullpen wasn't the first option for Karns City baseball coach Tom Stewart, but it turned out to be the best one.

Trailing 5-0 behind Venango Catholic after three innings, Stewart put Cameron Turner in for three innings and Dan Everetts took the mound for the final frame.

The duo did not allow a hit, struck out six and walked two in the process.

That was just the reprieve the Gremlins needed as they plated three runs in the fourth and three in the seventh. An Everetts run-scoring single capped a wild 6-5 victory.

"(Pitcher Saxon Parker) wasn't at his best, but a couple of errors helped (Venango Catholic)," said Stewart of his hard-luck starter, who allowed five runs in the second and third innings combined, all with two outs.

"I thought 'Why leave him in when we have (Turner), who hasn't thrown in a while, and Dan, who's our closer. He loves the role and thrives in it and it paid off,"Stewart added.

"I expect our guys to play 100 percent and at full tilt," said Vikings coach Jim Mullen. "I've seen them play hard versus bigger and better teams. Karns City is a well-coached team."

Karns City (4-4, 3-3) opened the seventh inning with a walk off Trey Siegel and Turner followed with a single. After Brett Green struck out, Joe King lined an RBI single to pull KC to within one run.

With runners at first and third, Cody Zabicki grounded into a fielder's choice to first base, driving in the tying run.

Everetts then grounded a hard shot past second baseman Elliot Donze for the winning tally.

Siegel had control problems throughout the game, walking seven batters, but Mullen was still confident about his senior hurler.

"Trey's a good pitcher," said Mullen. "He has a lot of experience and a lot of innings. He gets better as the game goes on."

The Vikings got off to a good start when Alex Eckert belted a two-run homer in the second inning, then tacked on three more runs in the third.

Eric Guth had an RBI double, then Nick Fink's grounder was mishandled by KC shortstop Josh Stimac and two runs scored for a 5-0 advantage.

"The whole game I kept telling the kids, 'Stay with the game plan and don't give help to (Siegel),'" said Stewart.

In the fourth inning, the Gremlins finally broke through against Siegel, who hadn't allowed a hit in the first three innings.

King and Zabicki singled and Everetts walked to load the bases.

An error led to the Gremlins' first run, then Cody Williams smacked a sacrifice fly and Stimac had an RBI single to make it a 5-3 game.

Siegel, however, avoided further damage by getting Parker and Turner to fly out to end the inning.

Venango Catholic 023 000 0—5 5 2Karns City 000 300 3—6 6 1W: Dan Everetts 1 IP (3 K, 1 BB).

L: Trey Siegel 6.2 IP (5 K, 7 BB).

Venango Catholic (4-4, 3-4): Joe Drelick 1B; Eric Guth 1B, 2B, RBI; Alex Eckert 2R-HR; Parker Jones 2B

Karns City (4-4, 3-3): Josh Stimac 1B, RBI; Cody Williams RBI; Cameron Turner 1B; Joe King 2-1B, RBI; Cody Zabicki 1B, RBI; Dan Everetts 1B, RBI

Thursday: Clarion at Karns City