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Lidgett, Phils blank Chiefs
Tuesday, July 03, 2012
By Andy Stine Sports Writer
There were no secrets behind the Philipsburg American Legion baseball team on Monday evening. Hit the ball hard and let Aaron Lidgett do the rest.
The flame-throwing righty pitched a complete game and only gave up five hits, while striking out six. The Phils also pounded 13 hits in their 12-0 victory in five innings over Clearfield in Central Penn League action.
"We needed that performance out of him," said Philipsburg manager Dusty Minarchick of Lidgett. "He's been pitching well for us all year. A couple of games he got hit around a little bit, but he's going to get his confidence back, especially at this time of year heading into the playoffs."
It looked like the Chiefs had gotten out of the first inning without hardly any trouble.
Clearfield starting pitcher Kyler Kephart got a groundball from Cody Lee right back to the pitcher. With a runner at first base and one out, Kephart threw to second base to get the force, but an error on the throw over to the first baseman allowed Lee to advance to second base.
After Lidgett hit a single to put runners at the corners with two outs, Shane Hoover had his first of three hits to score Lee. Derek Greene reached on an error that allowed Lidgett to score to give the Phils a 2-0 lead after a half inning.
Philipsburg picked up where it left off in the second inning.
After base hits from Kyle Johns and Jake Belinda, Parker Watson smacked a double to the gap. Johns and Belinda scampered home on the hit. An error and a walk loaded the bases with just one out in the frame.
"When he gets on base, he usually gets us rolling," said Minarchick of Watson. "Everybody just follows him."
Kephart got Hoover to pop up to the second baseman for an automatic out due to the infield fly rule. Then, Greene hit a single to bring home Watson to give the Phils a five-run cushion.
Lidgett retired the first five Clearfield batters of the game before Ronny Ogden gave the Chiefs their first baserunner in the bottom of the second inning. But, Lidgett got Cole Kephart to fly out to end the inning.
The third inning didn't get any easier for the Chiefs and their relief pitcher Devin Jones. They allowed four runs, including three unearned in the frame, on four hits and two errors.
"We just didn't play well tonight," said Clearfield manager Sid Lansberry. "We didn't play good defense, obviously. But, we also weren't aggressive at the plate. But, I also credit Lidgett for pitching a good game."
The fourth inning went a lot smoother for Clearfield than any other inning, especially for Chiefs center fielder Tanner Ogden. He made two sliding back-to-back catches to save hits and caught another fly ball to record all three outs.
The Chiefs threatened in the bottom of the fourth inning.
With two outs, Ronny Ogden hit his second single of the game and was followed by a Cole Kephart double that one-hopped the center field wall. Both were left stranded when Lidgett got a strikeout to get the Phils out of the jam.
Philipsburg brought home three more runs on three hits in the top of the fifth inning, as Hoover blasted a double to give him a 3-for-4 night.
For the second inning in a row, the Chiefs threatened again. This time, they had the bases loaded with only one out. But, Lidgett got back-to-back strikeouts looking to preserve the 10-run rule victory.
Both teams are back in action on their home fields tonight. Philipsburg hosts Altoona, while Clearfield (7-6 CPL, 10-8 overall) entertains DuBois. Both games start at 6.
"Everybody hit the ball today and that's how we've been playing the last couple games," said Minarchick. "We just need to make sure we keep hitting, put the ball in play, and good things will happen." Philipsburg-12
Belinda ss 4221, Watson cf 3222, Lee lf 4200, Lidgett p 2320, Hoover 3b 4133, Greene c 4024, Edmiston rf 2000, Dotts rf 2000, Golemboski 1b 3110, Ammerman 1b 0000, Johns 2b 3110, Baugh 2b 0000. Totals: 31-12-13-10.
Clearfield-0
K. Kephart p-2b-1b 3000, Danver ss 2010, Janocko 1b-3b 3010, T. Ogden cf 3000, Redden rf 1000, Jones p 1000, Summers ph 1000, R. Ogden c 2020, C. Kephart 2b-rf-2b 2010, Westen 3b-rf 2000, Collins lf 1000, Kennedy ph 1000. Totals: 22-0-5-0.
Score by Innings
Philipsburg 234 03-12 13 2
Clearfield 000 00- 0 5 5
Errors-Hoover, Ammerman; Janocko, C. Kephart, Westen 2, T. Ogden. LOB-Philipsburg 7, Clearfield 8. 2B-Belinda, Watson, Hoover; C. Kephart. SB-Watson. HBP-Danver (by Lidgett). Balk-Jones.
Pitching
Philipsburg: Lidgett-5 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 6 SO.
Clearfield: K. Kephart-2 IP, 6 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 SO; Jones-3 IP, 7 H, 7 R, 4 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO.
WP-Lidgett. LP-K. Kephart.
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