Jim Walker
jim.walker@irontontribune.com

MERCERVILLE — Who says 13 is unlucky?
The St. Joseph Flyers exploded for 13 runs in the seventh inning to blow the game wide-open as they beat the South Gallia Rebels 17-3 on Wednesday.
“Jimmy Mahlmeister pitched well and then Jackson Rowe and Ryan Payne both threw a good inning of relief,” said Flyers’ coach Greg Bryant.
“Their pitcher did a nice job but we took advantage of their walks and got some big hits.”
Mahlmeister worked five innings allowing four hits, three runs — two earned — with six strikeouts and three walks.
South Gallia took a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Nick Hicks doubled and scored on an error.
St. Joseph took a 2-1 lead in the third.
Ethan Clark walked and went to third when Rowe stole second and Matt Sheridan grounded out as the run scored. Isaac Whaley then singled in the second run.
The Rebels went ahead 3-2 in the bottom of the inning on doubles by Hicks, Wyatt Rapp and Jeffrey Sheets.
But the Flyers scored twice in the fourth to take the lead for good.
Max Weber singled, Izsak “Sweet Feet” Unger put down a sacrifice, Rowe singled and stole second and Sheridan got a clutch two-run single.
The score remained 4-3 until the seventh inning eruption.
Whaley walked, stole second and went to third when Michael Mahlmeister singled. Justin Mahlmeister then hit a sacrifice fly.
Payne and Weber walked to load the bases and Unger walked to force in a run. Jacob Salisbury then had a big hit with a two-run double.
Rowe and Sheridan walked to force in a run and Whaley doubled to score two more. Michael Mahlmeister had a two-run singled and Jimmy Mahlmeister was safe on an error.
Payne walked and Weber was safe on an error to score pinch-runner Jaden Mejia. Unger was hit by a pitch to drive home a run and Clark and Rowe both walked forcing in two more runs.
Whaley was 2-5 with a double and three runs batted in. Rowe went 2-2 and Weber 2-4 with an RBI.
St. Joseph 002 200 (13) = 17 11 1
South Gallia 102 000 0 = 3 4 2
Jimmy Mahlmeister, Jackson Rowe (6), Ryan Payne (7) and Michael Mahlmeister. Nick Hicks, Jared Ward (7), Wyatt Rapp (7), Jeffrey Sheets (7) and Andrew Small. W-J. Mahlmeister (IP-5.0, H-4, R-3, ER-2, K-6, BB-3). Rowe (IP-1.0, K-3). Payne (IP-1.0, K-1). L-Hicks (IP-6.0, H-7, R-4, ER-4, K-10, BB-4). Ward (IP-0.1, H-1, R-5, ER-5, BB-4). Rapp (H-3, R-8, ER-4, BB-4). Sheets (IP-0.2, BB-1). Hitting-St. Joe: Jackson Rowe 2-2 rbi, Matt Sheridan 1-4 4-rbi, Isaac Whaley 2-5 2B 3-rbi, Michael Mahlmeister 3-5 2-rbi, Jimmy Mahlmeister rbi, Max Weber 2-4 rbi, Izsak Unger 2-rbi, Jacob Salisbury 1-1 2B 2-rbi; SG: Nick Hicks 2-3 2-2B, Wyatt Rapp 1-4 2B, Jeffrey Sheets 1-3 2B rbi.