Blue Mountain avoids elimination in FCBL playoffs
Blue Mountain Copperheads' J.W. Kayla is congratulated by coach Dick Krause (99) after hitting a two-run homer in the bottom of the second inning.
On the mound for the Blue Mountain Copperheads is pitcher Chuck Gasti.
Blue Mountain second baseman Ron Nopwosky makes the force out against Belmont Inn's Sam Beucher. Nopwesky tried to connect with the first baseman for a double play but the throw was not in time.
CARMICHAELS — In the aftermath of one of its toughest losses of the season just 24 hours prior, Blue Mountain responded with offensive fireworks in defeating Belmont Inn, 6-0, on Monday night.
Entering the game with a 2-0 series deficit in the FCBL semifinals, the Copperheads (19-8) forced Game 4, thanks to error-free defense bolstered by three home runs.
“In baseball, it’s about responding to things and we had to respond to our effort last night,” said Blue Mountain manager Dickie Krause. “We were really loose coming into tonight and played with a lot of upbeat energy. We didn’t make the same mistakes as last night, but played with the same intensity. Tonight, the result was different.”
J.W. Kayla had two home runs, including a two-run shot over the right-field fence in the bottom of the second that gave the Copperheads a 2-0 lead.
Kayla added an insurance run with a second homer to right field in the sixth to make the score 6-0.
Reflecting on his success in the batter’s box, Kayla thanked Krause for advice.
“He (Krause) called time and told me if I was going to swing at the first pitch that I had to know what I wanted and to drill it,” said Kayla. “I’ve faced their pitcher (Bob Madison) before, and I know he can change things up on you pretty well. I was looking for fastballs and on both occasions I got that pitch first and drilled it.”
Joe Havrilak tacked on a home run in the third, his second of the series and seventh of the year.
Havrilak, Kayla and Gene Franks finished with two hits each.
While the Copperheads made the most of their offensive opportunities, leaving only two men on base, solid pitching from George Taylor limited Belmont Inn to only three hits.
Taylor pitched a complete game as he improved to 3-1 with one walk and eight strikeouts.
Madison falls to 5-2 as he allowed six hits, five earned runs, while walking one batter and striking out two.