One game does not make a season, but following Jim Thorpe’s 25-0 three-inning mercy rule defeat of Weatherly Friday, the Olympians were able to leave the field with important answers about their team moving forward, while the Wreckers departed with many questions about theirs.

Thorpe (1-0) wasted no time in taking a quick lead by scoring four runs in the top of the first inning. The first three hitters – Garret Lienhard, James Lordi, and Ian Henkels – walked to load the bases. Cleanup batter Richie Strack laced a two-strike double down the left field line to plate the first two runs of the game.

Drew Wimmer drove in the third run on an infield single, and Casey McCardle walked to force in another run.

In the bottom of the inning, Strack retired the Wreckers’ side in order on 11 pitches, with two caught looking on strikeouts while also inducing a groundout.

Jim Thorpe coach Joe Marykwas was pleased with the progress his team has made since their first scrimmage.

“It always starts with throwing strikes from the mound,” said Marykwas. “Richie was ahead of every hitter and Jack came in the third and did the same thing.

“At the plate we were very patient waiting for good pitches to hit and taking walks when they were there to take.”

Lienhard was hit by a pitch in the top of the second before Lordi smacked a two-run inside the park home run on a towering fly ball to the fence in right field.

Wimmer doubled in Ian Henkels, and Evan Murphy drove in JT’s ninth run on a base hit over the second base bag.

Strack was perfect again in the bottom half with two more strikeouts, setting up the Olympians’ big third frame where they plated 16 runs on eight walks and seven base hits. RBIs came from Henkels, Wimmer, Nick Schwartz, and Matt Craigie.

Jack Edwards pitched a perfect bottom of the third to end the game on the mercy rule.

“We just didn’t come to the field focused on the game,” said Weatherly coach Ryan Fegley. “In fact, we didn’t have the right attitude when we got off the bus. We’re a very young team, but there’s much to work on, and it starts with communication. We’ll start all over at our next practice.”

HIT PARADE

... The Olympians pounded out 14 hits in their three innings at the plate to go along with drawing 13 walks from four Weatherly (0-1) pitchers.

SWITCHEROO

... The game was supposed to be played at Weatherly, but when their field was determined to be unplayable, the site was moved to Jim Thorpe. Staying true to the schedule, Thorpe was the visiting team on their home field and Weatherly batted last.

UP NEXT

...The Olympians travel to Williams Valley on Monday to take on the Vikings. Weatherly visits Minersville on the same day to play the Battlin’ Miners.

Jim Thorpe 45(16) - 25 14 0

Weatherly 000 - 0 0 0

James, Buck (2), Tripp (3), Hoffman (3) and Zuberi; Strack, Edwards (3) and Wimmer, MoDavis. HR: JT - Lordi (2nd, one on). W - Strack. L - James.