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Sports

Seneca Valley Pitcher Giebel Tosses 2-Hit Shutout

Screaming Eagles sweep doubleheader from Northwood

Seneca Valley pitcher Thomas Giebel hasn’t had many opportunities in the batter’s box during the 2011 season. Usually replaced by a designated hitter, Giebel entered Thursday’s doubleheader against Northwood with one at-bat.

Giebel excelled during recent batting practices, so head coach Terry Changuris decided to pencil the senior into the lineup against the Gladiators, batting him in the No. 9 spot. In his first at bat, Giebel rewarded Changuris for his decision, belting a ball into the right-center field gap.

“I figured it would be a double,” Giebel said. “I just kept going, though.”

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Giebel ended up on third base with a two-run triple. Changuris followed with some humor.

“Can we get a courtesy runner so my pitcher can get some oxygen?” Changuris asked the home-plate umpire. “That’s the farthest he’s run all year.”

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Giebel came through at the plate, finishing with three RBIs, but he had an even better day on the mound. The right-hander threw a two-hit shutout and Seneca Valley defeated Northwood 14-0 in five innings during the first game of a doubleheader at SVHS. The Screaming Eagles ended up with a sweep, winning game two 15-2.

Giebel allowed two singles, hit one batter, walked none and struck out seven.

“That was his best game all year,” Changuris said. “He was throwing strikes and mixing up the fastball with the curve. He was getting his curve over and that made a huge difference.”

Steven Ruiz gave Seneca a 2-0 lead with a two-run single in the first, and hit a three-run inside-the-park home run during a six-run second inning. Ruiz finished 3 for 3 with six RBIs, including a run-scoring triple during a five-run fourth.

“He’s a power hitter with great speed,” Changuris said. “He’s had big games before,” including a grand slam against Damascus.

The doubleheader sweep improved Seneca’s record to 6-5. The Eagles will host Kennedy at 3:30 p.m. on April 28.

“I think we’re OK,” Giebel said. “Our record may not show it, but I think we’re doing all right.”

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