A "woops" turned into a "wow."

What appeared to be a costly baserunning gaffe became an exciting steal of home as the Karns City baseball team overcame eight errors on the way to a 9-8, eight-inning win over Ford City in the season opener at Pullman Park Friday afternoon.

With the game tied at 8, the bases loaded, one out and a 2-2 count on Karns City's Ethan Williams, Gremlins baserunner Brad Fuhrer dug his cleats into the FieldTurf baseline at Pullman Park and sprinted toward home.

The problem was the pitch was only ball three, not ball four.

No matter. Fuhrer stopped halfway between third base and the plate as Ford City catcher Ian Boylstein threw the ball to third baseman Danny Russo. That gave Fuhrer all the time he needed to swipe home and the game.

"We have team speed," said Karns City coach Travis Twentier. "We're going to put pressure on the other team and make them make plays."

That's not exactly how Twentier drew it up, but the first-year coach will take it.

"(Fuhrer) thought it was a 3-1 count," Twentier said. "He started home on what he thought was ball four. We still have a lot of things to work on. But we did a lot of things well."

Fuhrer did a lot of things well, too.

The junior went 4-for-4 with two singles, a double and an RBI triple that scored the tying run in the bottom of the eighth inning.

Ford City intentionally walked the next two batters in the eighth and brought its infield and outfield in to try to cut off the winning run.

Karns City didn't even need to put the ball in play to win.

"To lose on a play like that, it's tough. It happens," said Ford City coach Larry Cujas. "It's a learning experience. You run the guy back to the bag."

Karns City jumped out to 6-2 lead after two innings, but Ford City scratched its way back with single runs in the third and fourth innings before taking the lead with three unearned runs in the sixth.

The Gremlins responded with an unearned run of their own in the bottom of the frame, and, after falling behind 8-7 in the top of the eighth inning, rallied for the victory.

Williams, a sophomore who didn't play baseball last year, picked up the win in relief for Karns City.

The right-hander struck out four in 1 2/3 innings, including the first two batters he faced in the top of the seventh inning after relieving Patrick Foster with the bases loaded and one out.

Brian Best started for Karns City and gave up three runs — one earned — in four innings.

Karns City now will focus on cleaning up its fielding, as the Gremlins' eight errors led to six unearned runs.

"It shouldn't have been as close as it was. We have some things to work on," Twentier said. "But this is our first win over a WPIAL team in the four years (three as an assistant) I've been here."

Ford City 201 103 01 — 8 10 4Karns City 330 001 02 — 9 10 8W: Ethan Williams (1X\c IP, 4 K, 2 BB).

L: Devan Willyard (1 1/3 IP, 1 K, 2 BB).

Ford City: (0-1) Dylan Wolsonovich 2B, RBI; Alex Gladysiewski 3-1B, RBI; Danny Russo 1B, RBI; Michael Shaner 2B, RBI

Karns City (1-0): Eric McCue 4-SB; Zach Barney 1B, RBI; Brad Francis 1B, 2B, RBI; Brad Fuhrer 2-1B, 2B, 3B, RBI; Cole Rottman 3-1B

Monday: Karns City at Kittanning