By Jim Hunter
Meadville Tribune
Aug. 26, 2010 7:00 a.m. —
The Kessler Construction mystique continued last week in the Meadville Slow-pitch Softball League.
Throwing its winless regular-season record against Vantage out the window, Kessler — buoyed by clean-up batter Ryan Artman’s dramatic game-winning home run in the seventh inning — captured its fourth consecutive league title with a 10-9 victory over Vantage in the if-necessary game at the Lincoln Avenue Softball Complex.
Kessler forced the if-necessary game with a 17-13 win in the first game.
During the regular season, Vantage swept Kessler in three league games and also prevailed in one tournament game and the winner’s bracket playoffs final.
Championship finals: a different story.
Artman brothers shine
This column is a week old (sorry Kessler players), but the players involved and attending fans are still talking about Artman’s game-winning bomb.
With two outs and the game tied 9-9, Artman — who just returned to the United States on July 3 after five years in the Air Force — unloaded with the biggest hit of his softball career as his electrifying round-tripper sailed over the center-field fence.
“I think that ball is still going,” said Kevin Keppel, who watched the game, a few days later.
Artman’s younger brother, Adam, also came up big.
With Corey Smock on second base as the go-ahead run in the top of the seventh, Artman — Kessler’s smooth-fielding shortstop — gloved Rob Walker’s hard smash up the middle and gunned him out at first base.
The Artman heroics reminded me of another Artman — their father, Howard “Doc” Artman. In the 1980s and 1990s, Artman was regarded as one of the league’s best outfielders — making spectacular catches and coming through with clutch hits.
The elder Artman died in 2007 in a snowmobile accident. He was back at the LAC last week — smiling with pride.
Masterful Morini
Once again, Kessler pitcher Vic Morini showcased his superior pitching skills.
After allowing five runs in the first inning, Morini — working the edges of home plate to near perfection — only allowed four runs the rest of the game.
“Vic pitched great ... both games,” said Kessler second baseman Chad Beige.
Morini’s glovework also was top-notch.
The left-hander gloved numerous hard shots up the middle in both games.
Artman won the league championship for Kessler with his tape-measured shot, but Morini was KC’s Most Valuable Player.
Kessler’s 11th guy
Legendary softball player Jim Beige — one of the slickest first basemen to ever play the game — still has game.
Verbally.
The retired Beige, who coached first base, was very instrumental in Kessler’s success against Vantage — continually pumping them up with fired-up gestures when they came off the field each inning.
Without Beige, maybe a different story.
Bummed Billy
Vantage was without the services of its star pitcher and slugger Billy Noel.
Approximately a month ago, Noel injured his foot and hasn’t played since. The prognosis isn’t good as Noel has a partially torn tendon and surgery is very possible.
On crutches, it was obvious Noel missed being on the diamond.
“Obviously, Vantage is a different team with Billy in their lineup,” said Morini. “It definitely hurt them not having him in there.”
Get well soon, Billy D.
Lights out!!!
How hard can Jeff “Hack” Hall hit the ball?
In the fifth inning of the second game, Hall drilled a shot off Morini’s leg. As soon as the ball hit Morini’s leg, the right-center field lights and two right-field lights went out.
Definitely, a thunderous effect.
Offensive sluggers
First-game, big-game performers:
Kessler — Jason McMillian (3-for-5, two home runs, five RBI), Adam Artman (4-for-4, two RBI), Bill Warner (2-for-4, home run, two RBI) and Paul Crider (2-for-4, three RBI).
Vantage — T.J. Pennino (3-for-4, two home runs, five RBI), Mark Smith (3-for-4, two RBI), Larry Boitnott (3-for-4) and Matt Schmitt (3-for-5).
Second-game, big-game performers:
Kessler — Warner (3-for-3), Adam Artman (2-for-3), Morini (2-for-3, home run, three RBI), Mike Kennedy (2-for-3) and McMillian (2-for-4, home run).
Vantage — Jeff Hall (2-for-3, home run) and Kevin Reichel (2-for-3, two RBI).
