Mounts Start Fast Drop Mules

Ephrata opened defense of its L-L baseball title Monday in much the same fashion it won the league last May.

Relying on situational hitting, stingy defense and solid pitching, the Mountaineers beat Solanco, 7-3 [box score], in Section Two action amid balmy surroundings at War Memorial Field.
 

Making his first varsity start, senior southpaw Dusten Rutt went five innings for the win and was backed by his twin brother Branden, who singled and doubled, drove in three runs and scored two.

Evan Weaver's bases-loaded double highlighted a four-run first inning that put Ephrata (2-0 overall) in front to stay. Reliever Evan Young nailed down the victory with two scoreless innings of relief.

"They keep after you, that's what (Mounts manager Adrian) Shelley's teams are known for," said Tom Fish, who is in his first season as Golden Mules coach.

"They're fun to watch, not fun to play against."

Ephrata's balance from top to bottom in its batting order is a big reason why. Consider that leadoff man Tim Murray and No. 9 hitter Paul Larusso scored two runs apiece and combined for three hits, three stolen bases and a walk.

"Credit our offense," Shelley said. "They executed."

The Mules (1-3) were not without their moments. They led 1-0 in the first and outhit the Mounts 10-8. Two-hole hitter Kyle Eby went 3 for 4 with two singles, a double, two steals and a run scored.

Pitcher Ralph Brown, who went the distance, was 2 for 3 and leadoff man Mike Malloy reached base three times with a double, single and walk. His lone out was a hard liner in his initial at-bat that was snagged by first baseman Andre Hoover.

"We have some guys who can hit," said Fish. "Most of our guys are just up from JV ball, but they've shown they're ready.

"Both teams hit the ball well today. The difference in the game was that they got the two-out hits. They had quality two-out at-bats."

The most obvious being Weaver's three-run double in the first that made it 4-1. That cushion helped Dusten Rutt settle down after a shaky start.

"The first inning was kind of rough," he said. "But I fought through it."

"I would expecting nothing less," Shelley said of Dusten's early jitters. "If you're not nervous before a big game something's wrong with you. He should be anxious."

Dusten ran into trouble again in the third and fourth innings but survived, allowing just one run in each frame. His brother having his back and producing at the plate helped immeasurably.

"He hit pretty good," Dusten said smiling.

"Coach worked us into this program and we've produced," said Branden, who was the designated hitter for Dusten. "Feels great."

As does executing an offense that can't be categorized as small ball or power ball.

"It's getting key hits in big situations," Branden said.

A familiar refrain in Ephrata.