2-day save
BUTLER TWP — The closer's role is not for just any pitcher, but it suits Tim Geibel just fine.
Geibel took the mound in the top of the seventh inning and closed out a 4-2 victory for Mars II in the first game of the Eagle County League's best-of-five championship series Friday at Highfield Park.
The game began on Thursday, but was suspended in the middle of the sixth frame due to darkness.
Geibel's effort clinched the pitching win for teammate Kevin Vangheluwe, who worked the first six innings, allowing two runs on five hits against a potent Mars lineup.
“He (Vangheluwe) threw a bit on the side today and said he felt good,” said Mars II player/manager Eric King, “but it never crossed my mind to have him throw again today. Tim has been our closer all year. He does really well in short spurts and I have a lot of confidence in him when the game is on the line.”
Game 2 will be played at 2 p.m. Saturday at Marburger Field.
Mars reliever Greg Frederick kept his team's deficit at two runs by working a scoreless bottom of the sixth frame.
In the top of the seventh, Mars' Sam Sibeto and Matt Johnson kept their team alive with a double and single, respectively, with two outs. But Geibel got Dante Vacario to ground out to seal the victory.
Mars had sent its No. 5 hitter, Bob Spithaler, to the plate to start the inning and Geibel induced him to fly out to left field.
On a team with no shortage of power, Spithaler is one of Mars' most dangerous hitters.
“Bob is an aggressive hitter. He likes to swing at the first pitch,” said Mars player/manager Brendan Malone. “He said the first one looked good, but he just got under it a bit and got it up in the air instead of driving it. It happens.”
Geibel then struck out Mike Sikorski for the second out.
Mars II (28-7) will look to take a stranglehold on the series in Game 2. But as tough as Mars (26-8) is to beat at any venue, that task is even more difficult at Marburger Field.
“They have the short porch there in right field, but we just have to come out with the same approach,” said King. “We need to pitch well. We know their pitchers throw strikes and don't walk guys. We need to have strong at-bats.”
Mars 000 002 0 — 2 5 3
Mars II 001 030 x — 4 6 0
W: Kevin Vangheluwe 6 IP (8K, 1BB). L: Jimmy Devine 4.1 IP (0K, 2BB). S: Tim Geibel 1 IP (1K, 0BB).
Mars (26-8): Cody Herald 2B R RBI, Brendan Malone 2-1B RBI, Bob Spithaler 1B, Mike Sikorski 2B, Sam Sibeto 2B, Matt Johnson 1B, Scott Ventura R
Mars II (28-7): Tim Geibel 1B R, Kevin Vangheluwe 1B, Evan Oswald R, Corey Wheeler 1B, Darren Blakley 1B, Eric King 2-1B R, Ryan Denny R
Saturday: Mars II vs. Mars, 2 p.m. at Marburger Field
