Catcher pitches in to help Gremlins to victory

By MIKE KILROY Eagle Staff Writer

April 18, 2004 Last Updated: January 06, 2005 12:14 PM High School

FAIRVIEW TWP - Josh Smith is used to throwing the ball back to the mound, not from it.

But called upon to take off the tools of ignorance and turn in his catcher's mitt for a glove and a sneer, Smith mowed down the Clarion baseball team hitter by hitter for five innings in a 11-1 Karns City win Friday afternoon.

"He did exactly what we asked him to do," said Karns City coach Dave McElroy. "He's one of those guys if we needed him to pitch more, he'd have better command. But he doesn't get much work."

McElroy turned to Smith because of the heavy schedule Karns City faces next week.

Smith didn't disappoint.

He struck out eight - including four in the fourth inning - and walked just two. He had a no-hitter through three innings and gave up just two in the game.

Most importantly, though, he went the distance and got plenty of run support in the process.

"He ate up some innings," McElroy said. "I hate to compare him to Jeff Suppan, but that's what he is like. He's an inning eater and he gives your team a chance to win. Now we can come back with our top two pitchers Monday and Tuesday."

Karns City (5-0 overall, 4-0 in the Keystone Shortway Athletic Conference) scored two runs in the first on just one hit and then scored nine runs in the second inning on just five hits to put the game well out of reach.

The big inning has been a common sight for the Gremlins lately. On Thursday, Karns City scored 10 runs in the first inning against Clarion-Limestone.

But, like Thursday, the Gremlins did all their damage early and cruised the rest of the way. Karns City was held hitless in the third and fourth innings.

"We've had two games like that in a row," McElroy said. "(Thursday) night we had a good start and didn't finish. We played seven innings and really only had one good inning. We made six errors. The difference tonight is we stayed focused."

Karns City didn't commit an error Friday.

The Gremlins also showed extreme patience at the plate against a couple of freshman pitchers from Clarion.

Karns City drew six walks in the first two innings, helping its cause.

For Clarion coach Lee Weber, watching opposing hitters trot to first base has been an all-to-familiar sight.

"We have a couple of freshmen who are not ready to pitch at this level," Weber said. "We have some guys with some good stuff, but they are having trouble throwing strikes."

Ryan Hritz started for Clarion and didn't get out of the second inning. He did give Karns City some fits in the first inning with his unorthodox arm motion.

Nate Brosious didn't fare any better in relief. The lone bright spot was Chris McSwain, who tossed two perfect innings.

"Our hitting is going to come around," Weber said.

It didn't on Friday because of Smith, who will most likely find himself back behind the plate again soon, watching the game from that familiar angle.

"We know we can use him," McElroy said. "The players behind him respect him and want to play hard for him."

Clarion 000 10 - 1 2 2

Karns City 290 0x - 11 6 0

WP:

Josh Smith (5 IP) 8 strikeouts, 2 walks.

LP:

Ryan Hritz (1

IP) 1 strikeout, 5 walks

Clarion (0-3, 0-3):