JOHNSTOWN —
Martella’s Pharmacy manager Chris Pfeil will weigh his options before naming his opening day starter for the 66th annual AAABA Tournament.
Pfeil said he and his staff probably won’t make a final decision until the pairings are drawn on Sunday night.
“We’re looking at three different scenarios,” said Pfeil, who will manage in his fifth tournament and second straight with Martella’s. “Scott Dixon and Clint White have thrown really well for us this year. Also, picking up Evan James, he’s a strong possibility too.
“We’re debating back and forth on how we think it’s going to set us up best. We’re going to be in a wait-and-see mode. A lot of it is going to depend upon who we draw. We had the luxury of being in the tournament last year, and we’ve been able to get out and see some regional games. Depending on who we draw, we’re going to throw the pitcher who we think matches up best against that team.”
Martella’s Pharmacy will play at 1 p.m. at Point Stadium on Monday.
Martella’s advanced to the tournament based on its regular-season title in the local AAABA League. Pfeil’s team finished as runner-up to Delweld, Johnstown’s official representative, in the league playoffs.
Last season, Martella’s Pharmacy also was playoff runner-up but advanced to the tournament after Washington D.C. dropped out on the eve of the 65th tournament.
The format was so well-received locally and by tournament organizers that a proposal was made during the national AAABA spring meeting in Florida, and a vote passed that Johnstown have two representatives in the tournament.
Pfeil plans on making the most of the opportunity. Last year Martella’s went 2-2.
Martella’s won its first two games in 2009. Pfeil’s teams traditionally have had solid starts, including the Johnstown Grays in 2002, 2004 and 2005. The manager realizes the significance of opening day in a double-defeat elimination tournament.
Penn State-bound Dixon shared the Pete Vuckovich Award and went 7-2, including the playoffs. Seton Hill University products White (5-3) and Jon Murphy (5-1, three saves) each have five wins. Luke Novosel (4-1), Kyle Zambanini (3-0), Landon Wahl (3-2) and Alex Naggy (2-0) strengthen the staff.
“Clint White has college experience,” Pfeil said. “Scott Dixon is a high school kid who just graduated this year, but he’s shown a tremendous amount of poise for us all year. Every time we’ve handed him the ball he’s given us an effective outing. Even though it’s a bigger stage and a national tournament, we won’t hesitate giving him the ball.”
Pfeil expects to have two key arms back in the mix. Pat Kohl played in the outfield much of the summer. League MVP and four-year starter Sam Watkins played shortstop nearly the entire season. He closed one game this year to break Martella’s career save record. But neither Watkins nor Kohl took the mound much.
“Sam pitched at Akron (University) this spring and early in the season we wanted to give him a rest,” Pfeil said. “Then he had a hamstring problem so he didn’t pitch. Now he’s at full health and he’s going to close in the tournament. Pat Kohl also will be back to pitch.”
Pfeil added two quality center fielders in Alex Buccilli (Roxberry Creamery) and Mike Kastelic (Berkley Hills Renegades).
His other pick-ups, James (4-3 on a nine-win Principle Development team) and Joe Fearer (Roxberry Creamery), can pitch.
Sports
Related Photos
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Scott Dixon of Martella’s Pharmacy shared the Pete Vuckovich Award with Delweld’s Carter Lehman as the AAABA League’s top pitcher. File Photo/The Tribune-Democrat
Discussion
Martella’s waiting to pick starter
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