Uncertainty follows win
SLIPPERY ROCK — It was a huge victory for the Grove City High baseball team, albeit a painful one.
Starting pitcher Randy Risch left the game in the bottom of the third inning after being hit on the right forearm by a ball off the bat of Slippery Rock's Justin Whallin.
Risch, a junior right-hander, stayed in the game, but was taken out after four more pitches.
At the time, Grove City and Slippery Rock were in the middle of a scoreless tie.
The Eagles' bats came alive, tallying 10 hits in the final four innings, as the team clinched the District 10, Region 5-AAA title with a 12-2 road win over the Rockets in the regular-season finale for both teams.
With the Eagles assured of a playoff spot, they now are wondering if Risch be available.
"He should be OK," said Grove City coach Pat Forese. "He just got hit dead square on the forearm and it swelled up a bit."
Risch, who entered the game with a record of 7-1, struck out one and walked two in his two innings before leaving the game.
Jason Revesz took over, pitching 2X\c innings and picking up the win.
The Rockets (5-14, 2-8) had taken a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third when Whallin scored on Andrew Waryanka's sacrifice bunt.
But in the next half inning, the Eagles received an RBI-single from Allen Saylor and a two-run triple from Derrick Brown, who scored on an errant relay throw to put his team up 4-1.
The runs were charged to Slippery Rock starter and eventual losing pitcher Josh Dailey, who had six strikeouts in the first three innings.
He was pulled with no outs in the sixth after striking out seven and walking three.
Because of his teammates' five errors, four of the seven runs Dailey allowed were unearned.
"He's a senior, so this is it for him," said Rockets coach Evan Agona. "I hate to even say this, but today's loss makes Josh 0-6 this year. But he has pitched really well in about five of those games.
"He's pitched against some really good teams, Grove City, Meadville, Sharon, and he gave us a chance to win every game," Agona added.
Slippery Rock scored a run in the bottom of the fifth inning when Whallin came home on a fielder's choice to make it a 4-2 game.
But the Eagles, highlighted by Garrett Herald's two-run home run, scored seven runs in the top of the sixth to pull away."
Grove City 000 407 1 — 12 13 0Slippery Rock 001 010 0 — 2 4 5W: Jason Revesz (2X\c IP) 4 K, 2 BB.
L: Josh Dailey (5 IP) 7 K, 3 BB.
Grove City (15-5, 8-2): Derrick Brown 1B 3B 2R 3 RBI, Garrett Herald 2B HR 2 RBI, Jon Anderson 3B 2 RBI, Allen Saylor 2-1B 2B R 2 RBI
Slippery Rock (5-14, 2-8): Matt Corner 2-1B, Andrew Waryanka RBI, Josh Weitzel 1B RBI, Justin Whallin 1B 2R
