SHENANDOAH – The way the game started it looked like a pitcher’s duel was brewing at Marty F. Deluca Baseball Field on Wednesday.

In the end, however, there was only one hurler who nearly lasted until the final out was made.

Krajcirik’s right-hander Tyler Black dominated the Shenandoah Mrs. T’s batters - coming within one out of a complete game.

Black’s strong pitching performance carried Krajcirik’s to 7-1 victory.

It was only the second win in five outings this season in the Schuylkill County Teener League Senior Divisionfor Krajcirik’s, while the Pierogie Kings fell to 3-4.

Where the Car Mechanics excelled offensively was in the bottom half of the order as the No. 7, No. 8 and No. 9 batters set the table and also delivered key hits.

That included Chase Krynock’s big blow in a six-run uprising in the top of the fifth inning that wiped out a 1-0 deficit. Krynock delivered a two-run, two out single to help his team to the decision.

“They don’t give him much respect,” said Tim Goida, who served as Krajcirik’s interim manager. “He’s a little guy, who hits the ball on a line.”

Goida also had high praise for Black’s work on the mound.

“He pounded the zone and I think he gave up only two walks - both of those late in the game,” Goida said. “It was a really nice pitching performance from Tyler.”

Indeed it was.

Black allowed Mrs. T’s a single run in the fourth inning when Brady Najda single, stole second and came around to score on Brandon Boris’s single.

But the Car Mechanics got that back and more in the fifth, sending nine batters to the plate. They managed four hits and chased starting Shenandoah pitcher Jake Matta, who allowed only one earned run, while striking out four and walking a batter.

After Matta issued a one-out walk to Brett Kunkle, he was lifted in favor of Brady Maksimik. Logan Fisher then drew a walk. Maksimik struck out the next batter, but Krynock followed with his two-run single.

A walk and an error set things up for nine-hole hitter Brian Bednar who clubbed a three-run double.

“The bottom of the order coming through - that seems to be a trend from our high school team (Panther Valley) to now,” Goida said.

Goida also praised the way the team’s defense came up with some big plays to fend off any rally thoughts by Mrs. T’s.

“Our defense played well,” said Goida. “When you get that, plus the pitching and the hitting, it produces positive results.”

LAYING OUT LEATHER … Krajcirik’s made some great plays, including a superb catch by center fielder Kunkle who robbed Maksimik of a possible three-run double in the Mrs. T’s fourth-inning rally.

ON THE BUMP… Black was excellent in garnering the win on the mound. He left with two outs in the seventh with his pitch count 105. He threw 61 strikes. Brady Jones came in to work to one batter, getting a groundout to end the game.

Krajcirik’s 000 061 0 – 7 7 3

Mrs. T’s 000 100 0 – 1 4 2

Matta, Maksimik (5), Burke (5) Najda (6) and Boris; Black, Jones and Engler and Goida (6) . W – Black L – Maksimik