When Karns City varsity baseball coach Randy Collins said he would rely heavily on his pitching this year, he wasn't kidding.

Senior right-hander Derek Sadowski opened the Gremlins' 2012 season with a complete-game, 15-strikeout effort in an 8-4 win over Ford City Tuesday at Pullman Park.

Sadowski threw 133 pitches — 85 for strikes — and did not allow a hit until the fifth inning. He walked two batters and hit two others.

“Derek is one of those guys who doesn't get tired,” Collins said. “We'll rest him a couple of days and he'll be out there again.

“Pitch counts just aren't an issue with him.”

Sadowski struck out nine batters in the first three innings. Ford City's leadoff hitter, Justin Retzer, fanned to start the game, but reached on a wild pitch.

“I felt fine. Just keep throwing the ball,” Sadowski said. “When I needed to throw strikes, I was able to.”

The Gremlins scored four runs in the first inning after two outs. Nathan Weckerly doubled to left and stole third to begin the frame, but a strikeout followed and Ethan Williams walked, only to be picked off first base.

Scott Kiser walked and freshman Matt Yough delivered a run-scoring single to left. Sadowski's fly ball to center was dropped — allowing two runs to score — and Tyler Kepple singled to center to plate the fourth run.

“If we can catch a fly ball there, they only get a run,” first-year Ford City coach Dave Montgomery said. “That inning really hurt.”

But the Sabers fought back, scoring a run in the third and loading the bases with one out. Sadowski escaped further damage by striking out No. 4 and 5 hitters Blake and Hunter Bower.

Ford City trailed 5-3 and had bases loaded with two outs in the fifth when Sadowski struck out Ian Boulstein on a 3-2 pitch.

“He made some clutch pitches,” Collins said. “But when Derek is called upon, he performs. He's always been there for us.”

Karns City put the game away with three runs in the sixth. A single, four consecutive walks and a sacrifice fly produced them.

Ford City 001 021 0 — 4 5 1Karns City 410 003 x — 8 6 2W: Derek Sadowski 7IP (15K, 2BB).

L: Dave Lattanzio 2IP (3K, 2BB).

Ford City (0-1): Justin Retzer 2-1B RBI, Brandon Dineley 1B, Blake Bower 1B 2-RBI, Mike Fennel 1B 2-R

Karns City (1-0): Nathan Weckerly 2B RBI, Jerod Hutchison RBI, Ethan Williams 1B 2-RBI, Matt Yough 1B RBI, Derek Sadowski 1B 2-R, Tyler Kepple 1B RBI, Wyatt Everetts 1B 2-R

Friday: West Shamokin vs. Karns City, 3:30 p.m., Pullman Park