Fireworks in first (03/30/07)

FORT RECOVERY - If three- and four-run first-inning leads helped relax the Indians, Thursday night's game must have felt like they were on vacation.

Fort Recovery scored 14 times in the first inning against the visiting group of Indians, from Union City, and strolled to a 16-0 victory.

Aaron Vaughn's team, which is now 3-0 for the first time in his tenure, had first inning leads of 4-0 Monday against Celina and 3-0 Tuesday against Lincoln-view.

"I'm going go out on a limb and say we're probably not going to always score 14 runs in an inning to start the game, but ... that's what we preach - you have to score first," said Vaughn after watching his team send 19 batters to the plate in the first inning. "If you play good defense and score first you'll be in games. We've been lucky enough to do that so far."

Luck didn't have all that much to do with the situation Monday as Fort Recovery battered Union City starter Jesse Thacker.

Bobby Rammel led the game off with a single to center field, stole second base and eventually scored on a Kevin Schoenherr infield single. And then the home Indians just kept circling the bases.

Rammel, Schoenherr and Toby Metzger each had two hits in the first inning as Fort Recovery batters reached base in 13 of the team's first 14 at bats.

And when Union City finally recorded its second out, it came by way of a Curt Heitkamp sacrifice fly which brought home Schoenherr with his second run of the inning and 12th overall.

Frank Thien, Troy Metzger, Tony Diller and Rammel also each scored twice in the opening frame, and freshman Greg Kahlig finished the scoring barrage with a two-run single before trotting back out to the mound with an insurmountable advantage.

Kahlig cruised to an easy victory in his first varsity start, striking out six batters in four innings. He had a no-hitter through three innings before giving up a two-out single to Zach Anguiano in the fourth, then turned the game over to Craig Garman who tossed a scoreless fifth.

"He came out and threw strikes," said Vaughn. "I think he gave up one hit, hit a guy and walked a guy, and that's a great job ..."

Schoenherr finished 2-for-2 with a double, two runs and two RBIs to lead the Fort Recovery onslaught, and Rammel had two hits, two runs, two RBIs and a stolen base. Clint Tobe had a pair of doubles, and Thien, Troy Dilworth and Heitkamp each added one.

Heitkamp drove in three runs, all in the first inning, and Metzger's 2-for-2 effort lifted his batting average to .857. He has opened the year 6-of-7 after picking up just 10 hits in the entire 2006 season.

"I think it's great for him. That's a good nine hitter to have," said Vaughn. "He sees a lot of fastballs, and he's a good fastball hitter. I think basketball and football help him too. He's been in varsity competition for two years in all three sports. ... I think he's more confident in his baseball skills now."

Vaughn also got some good play from his bench, which he cleared after the second inning.

In addition to Dilworth's RBI double, Jordan Staugler and Alex Gehle each singled and scored a run, and Garman also had a hit. Dilworth and Garman made plays at second and third base respectively, and David Schmitt robbed Union City's Zane Woodbury of a hit when he snared a line drive at first base.

"All those guys came in and played hard," said Vaughn, noting Gehle's hustle on his infield hit. "All those kids hustle. ... Those kids are just waiting for their opportunity, and I love games to get them that opportunity."[[In-content Ad]]