Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

ASHTON, W.Va. — Justin Mahlmeister finished what he started, he just got a break in between.

Mahlmeister worked two innings, then came back to get the final out to preserve a 10-run lead as the St. Joseph Flyers picked up a five-inning 13-3 mercy rule win over the Hannan Wildcats on Monday.

Joseph Payton got the win with 2.2 innings of work. He struck out four and did not walk a batter. Mahlmeister fanned six, gave up one hit and did not walk a batter.

Freshman Seth Kelley got his first start and went 2-3 with four runs batted in. Payton was 3-4, Hunter Pemberton and Mahlmeister 2-3 and Eli Lewis 2-2.

“It was a much better offensive effort tonight,” said Flyers’ coach Brent Wirzfeld. “I can’t say enough about the job Seth Kelley did at the plate. Joseph Payton just threw strikes and Justin nailed things down for us.”

The Flyers (4-1) got four runs in the first inning and seven more in the second for an 11-0 lead.

Payton singled and Mahlmeister doubled to make it 1-0. Lewis was hit by a pitch, Grant Geswein singled in a run, Trey Young walked and Kelley had a two-run single.

Kelley had a two-run hit, Mahlmeister had a sacrifice fly and Young walked to force in a run to highlight the seven-run second.

The final two runs in the fourth put the Flyers up 13-0 when Shannon Litton reached on an error, Mahlmeister walked and Jacob Clark had a two-run single.

St. Joseph 470 20 = 13 15 2

Hannan 000 12 = 3 8 3

Justin Mahlemeister, Joseph Payton (3), Mahlmeister (5) and Hunter Pemberton. Williams and Johnson. W-Payton (IP-2.2, K-4, BB-0, H-7, ER-2). Save-Mahlmeister (IP-2.1, K-6, BB-0, H-1) L-Williams. 2B-SJ: Justin Mahlmeister; Hannan: Williams, Johnson. Hitting-St. Joseph: Hunter Pemberton 2-3, Joseph Payton 3-4, Justin Mahlmeister 2-3, Bryson Adkins 1-3, Eli Lewis 2-2, Grant Geswein 1-2, Seth Kelley 2-3, Jacob Clark 1-1; Hannan: Johnson 3-3, Noth 2-3, Clark 1-3, Williams 2-3.