Area teams battle for worthwhile cause

It's hard to believe that the lone spot for an area All-American Amateur Baseball Association team in the Altoona AAABA Regional Tournament July 31-Aug. 2 would be on the line between Johnston Realty and Ketrow Insurance Tuesday evening at Blair County Ballpark, but that was exactly the case.

Last night's game though, carried even greater significance than Johnston's 11-0 win.

The second annual City League benefit baseball game was held last night in memory of Kristen Aungst. Aungst, 17, died in a one-vehicle accident near Claysburg on May 18.

Proceeds from last night's game will go to the Claysburg-Kimmel varsity cheerleaders and the school's wresting boosters. Aungst was a cheerleader and kept the wrestling scorebook at her school.

The stadium was full of Claysburg-Kimmel students, baseball fans and other caring community members. Those involved felt privileged to be a part of such a special night.

"We were all so happy to be a part of this," Johnston Realty manager Mel Curtis said. "It was a great opportunity. I couldn't imagine having to go through what Kristen's family had to go through. It was neat seeing all of those students here showing their support."

It was also a special experience for the players to play on and the managers and coaches to coach on the field that is widely considered one of the most beautiful minor league stadiums in the country.

"I've walked on the field before, but it was really nice to actually coach on it," Ketrow Insurance manager Keith Walters said. "The kids really enjoyed playing here and taking batting practice in the cages under the field's seating."

The festivities began when Matt and Corey Aungst, Kristen's brothers, threw out the ceremonial first pitches. The game started out as a pitchers' duel between Johnston Realty's Andy Lytle and Ketrow's Bill Beard. Although they had contrasting styles - Lytle a tall, hard-throwing righty and Beard a crafty southpaw, the first two innings were scoreless. In the top of the third, the Ketrow's defense failed Beard, committing two errors, and Johnston scored three unearned runs.

There was plenty of game yet to be played, but Walters thought those miscues proved to be the turning point.

"I though we played well in the first two innings, but we gave them three runs that third inning," Walters said. "We have young players, and they made young mistakes tonight. We never recovered after."

Lytle, who just committed Monday to play baseball at Delta State University in Mississippi, was on top of his game. Lytle was consistently throwing his fastball 87 mph and topped out at 89 mph multiple times. He threw a one-hit shutout, struck out six and walked just three to lead his squad.

"Lytle pitched a gem tonight," Walters said.

Not only did Lytle have adrenaline flowing through his body become of the special night, but also because he is friends with a lot of Ketrow's players.

"I had a lot of adrenaline flowing the first few innings, but I was able to settle down after that," Lytle said. "I'm also close friends with a lot of the kids too."

Johnston's win also guaranteed that it will be Altoona's representative in the AAABA Regional Tournament.

"We're happy to get this win out of the way so we can relax until the tournament starts," Curtis said.

JOHNSTON REALTY (11): Marcinko ss 322, Schroth 2b 522, Shaffer 1b 311, Ford dh 501, Lytle p 000, Mann lf 211, Glass 3b 302, Gallagher ph 110, Pillot rf 300, Kotzor ph 010, Weibley cf 210, Ferguson ph 010, Hershey c 211, Eversole ph 000. Totals - 29 11 10.

KETROW INSURANCE (0): Hamilton ss-p 200, Hammaker cf 300, Beard p 200, Ranck ph 100, Roberts c 300, Texidor 1b 300, Riley 2b-p 100, Ketrow 3b 301, McPhee rf 000, Lassak rf 200, Kitt lf 100, O'Donnell lf 100. Totals - 22 0 1.

SCORE BY INNINGS

Johnston Realty003 030 5-11 10 3

Ketrow Insurance000 000 0-0 1 3

E - Schroth 2, Weibley, McPhee 2, Ketrow. DP - Ketrow 1. 2B - Marcinko, Shaffer. RBI - Shaffer 2, Schroth, Ford, Glass, Ferguson, Eversole. SB - Mann. WP - Lytle. LP - Beard. SO - Lytle 6, Dixon 1, Beard 3, Hamilton 2, Riley 2. BB - Lytle 3, Beard 1, Hamilton 3, Riley 7.