Quick start sparks Planets to victory
MARS — The Mars baseball team was fast out of the gate.
And Freeport never caught up.
The Planets scored seven runs on nine hits in the first three innings en route to a 7-1 win Wednesday afternoon at Marburger Field.
At the center of the Planets' offensive outburst were the batters in spots seven through nine: Adam Spithaler, Josh Bender and Chip Hasek.
The trio combined for six hits — three of which went for extra bases — three runs scored and three more batted in.
Hasek led the way with a double, triple and three RBI.
"Right now, we're still trying to figure out what our batting order is going to be like this season," said Mars coach Andy Bednar. "But it makes it nice when that part of the order is hitting like it was today."
Hasek helped his own cause, as he started on the mound for Mars and picked up the win after working five innings and allowing one unearned run on only two hits. The junior right-hander walked three and fanned seven, including the first four batters of the game.
His teammates gave him an early lead when Charlie Jaicks scored on a D.J. Cannon groundout and Wes Hillegas doubled home Zach Zollner in the bottom of the first inning.
"Getting those runs early gave (Hasek) some confidence," said Bednar. "And he did a nice job today.
"He had a rough start (last week) in South Carolina against Peters Township," Bednar added. "We just wanted to get him some more work in before the section games start."
Hasek doubled home Spithaler and Bender in the second inning before tripling in the former in the third.
The Yellowjackets' lone run came in the third inning when Tim Zahumensky came home on a Mars throwing error.
Eric Turkovich pitched the last two frames for Mars and retired all six batters he faced.
All seven of Mars' runs were charged to Freeport starter Justin Sukala, who pitched the first three innings and surrendered nine hits. The senior walked one and struck out none.
"He really didn't have any experience pitching varsity before this year," said Yellowjackets coach Chris Graczyk. "Like everybody else on the team, he's going through some growing pains right now."
Reliever Bryan Huth settled things down for Freeport, pitching three innings and not allowing a run on three hits.
Freeport 001 000 0—1 2 2Mars 232 000 x—7 12 1WP: Chip Hasek (5 IP) 7 strikeouts, 3 walks. LP: Justin Sukala (3 IP) 0 strikeouts, 1 walk
Freeport (1-2): Tim Zahumensky 1B R SB, Jarred Malcolm 2B
Mars (3-2): Ryan Lynch 2B RBI, Charlie Jaicks 1B R RBI, Zach Zollner 2-1B R, D.J. Cannon 1B RBI, Wes Hillegas 2B RBI, Adam Spithaler 2-2B 2R, Josh Bender 1B 2B R, Chip Hasek 2B 3B 3 RBI, Mitch Conner 2R
Today: Riverview at Mars
Monday: Freeport at Ford City
