Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

Justin Mahlmeister was like sandpaper. He took a rough start and made it smooth.

After giving up three runs in the first inning, Mahlmeister settled down with six shutout innings as the St. Joseph Flyers beat the Green Bobcats 8-3 on Thursday.

“I think he wasn’t loose and maybe a little nervous at first, but he really pitched well after the first inning,” said Flyers’ coach Brent Wirzfeld.

Mahlmeister struck out 11, walked one and gave up six hits — four in the first inning.

Joseph Payton went 3-4 with three RBIs to lead the Flyers’ offense. Hunter Pemberton was 2-3 with two RBI and Jacob Clark was also 2-3.

Clay Applegate was 2-4 to lead Green (6-9).

In the first inning, Applegate singled, stole second and Rob Applegate had an RBI single. Tyler Crace and Caleb Johnson followed with run-scoring doubles.

The Flyers (9-5) got a run in the bottom of the inning when Payton singled, stole second and scored on a hit by Cole Willis.

St. Joseph took a 4-3 lead in the second.

Eli Lewis reached on an error, Chris Lewis was hit by a pitch, Clark singled to load the bases and Pemberton delivered a two-run single. Payton singled home the go-ahead run.

The Flyers had four more run in the fourth as Clark, Pemberton, Payton, Mahlmeister and Adkins all singled.

Green 300 000 0 = 3 6 1

St. Joseph 130 400 x = 8 10 3

Tyler Crace, Caleb Johnson (2) and Chris Applegate. Justin Mahlmeister and Hunter Pemberton. W-Mahlmeister (K-11, BB-1, ER-3). L-Crace (IP-1.1, R-4, H-5, K-1, BB-0). Johnson IP-4.2, K-5, BB-0 H-5, ER-2. 2B-Green: Tyler Crace, Mark Martin, Caleb Johnson. Hitting-Green: Chris Applegate 2-4, Rob Applegate 1-3, Tyler Crace 1-3, Caleb Johnson 1-3, Mark Martin 1-3; St. Joseph: Justin Mahlmeister 1-3, Cole Willis 1-2 rbi, Jacob Clark 2-3, Joseph Payton 3-4 rbi-2, Bryson Adkins 1-3 rbi, Hunter Pemberton 2-3 rbi-2.