By JIM WALKER

Tribune Sports Editor

 

SCIOTOVILLE — The St. Joseph Flyers were short-handed, so they handed the ball to Justin Mahlmeiser.

The Flyers’ junior pitcher — working on two days rest — struck out 15 and did not walk a batter in 15-5 six-inning win over the Sciotoville East Tartans on Thursday.

“We were short-handed and we had some young kids in roles they’re not used to and they stepped up,” said Flyers’ coach Brent Wirzfeld. “Justin gave us a big lift with his pitching. I was happy with everyone’s effort.”

St. Joseph (2-1) took a 2-0 lead in the first on an error, Bryson Adkins’ base hit, Mahlmeister’s RBI singled and a ground out RBI by Grant Geswein.

Adkins — who was just medically cleared to play earlier in the day — singled to start a five-run third inning. Five straight walks produced three runs and Jacob Clark reached on an error as two more scored.

The lead went to 9-1 in the fourth when Mahlmeister signled, stole two of his seven bases on the day, and scored on Geswein’s ground out. Eli Lewis walked and Trey Young drilled a 3-2 pitch for a run-scoring double.

Mahlmeister had a two-run double and a hit by Geswein, a hit batsman and two walks made it 13-1.

The final two runs scored in the sixth on two walked and an error.

Adkins was 3-5, Mahlmeister 2-3 and Hunter Pemberton 2-5 as St. Joseph had nine hits.

The Flyers host Elliott County on Monday.

St. Joseph 205 242 = 15 9 2

Sciotoville 001 031 = 5 6 3

Justin Mahlmeister and Hunter Pemberton. Bateman, Crager (3), Welch (4) and Littner. W-Mahlmeister (K-15, BB-0). L-Bateman. 2B-St. Joseph: Justin Mahlmeister, Trey Young; East: Littner, Edgerton, Crager. Hitting-St. Joseph: Hunter Pemberton 2-5, Bryson Adkins 3-5, Justin Mahlmeister 2-3 7-sb, Grant Geswein 1-3, Trey Young 1-4; East: Littner 2-4, Edgerton 2-4, Crager 2-3.