Strange bounces go Trojans’ way in 14-4 win over Mikes
John F. Brothers/HeraldStandard.com
Carmichaels’ Josh Mundell (11) steals second just ahead of California second baseman Eric Ricci’s (8) tag during the fourth inning their game at Cal.
John F. Brothers/HeraldStandard.com
Carmichaels second baseman Tyler Schoaf (1) backs up shortstop Ty Cole (3) as California’s Matt Bakewell (11) steals second.
Californina second baseman Eric Rucci watches Carmichaels’ Tommy Shoaf round second base after Shoaf hit a two-run homer in the first inning at California Area High School. (Photo by John F. Brothers)
COAL CENTER — Two strange bounces in the third inning set the tone in California’s 14-4 win over Carmichaels.
With the score tied at 2-2, Carmichaels pitcher Nick Clarke hit a deep fly ball to left field with Tyler Shoaf on first base. As Shoaf was rounding third, the ball skipped over the fence for a ground rule double.
The inning ended when Tommy Shoaf’s deep fly ball was tracked down by California left fielder Mike Luketich to preserve the deadlock.
In the bottom of the inning, run-scoring singles by Sean Cotton and Ron Barron had given the Trojans a 4-2 lead. Then Josh Luko’s two-out ground ball took a sharp hop over second baseman Tyler Shoaf to drive in Cotton and Barron in what would become a seven-run inning and a 9-2 lead.
Afterward, Carmichaels coach Scott VanSickle agreed that the strange twists of the third inning set the tone the rest of the way.
Carmichaels had taken a 2-0 lead against California pitching ace T.D. Conway when Ryan Zalar led the game off with a single and Tommy Shoaf hit a two-out home run over the left field fence to the right of the 322 foot mark.
California cut the lead in half in the bottom of the inning after two outs on consecutive singles by Conway, Matt Bakewell, and Cotton as courtesy runner Gavin Anderson scored.
The Trojans tied the score with an unearned run after two outs in the second as Luko doubled and scored on an infield error on a ball hit by Pat Tunney.
Carmichaels cut the lead to 9-4 in the fifth when Tyler Aeschbacher singled and scored three batters later on a single by Clarke. Tyler Shoaf later scored when the Trojans mishandled a ground ball hit by Mike Blasinsky.
The Trojans scored five times in the bottom of the inning to end the game on the 10-run rule. Conway singled with one out, Bakewell got his fourth straight hit, Cotton walked and Barron doubled in Anderson and Bakewell. Jake Columbus singled to drive in Barron, and Aaron Previsky’s single drove in Barron and courtesy runner Brian Fisher.
California coach Don Hartman said of his team’s 16-hit performance, “We pride ourselves in putting the ball in play. We hit a lot of singles and put pressure on the defense.”
Hartman said Conway wasn’t at his best, but pitched a smart game after the first inning. “I don’t think he was as sharp and showed some fatigue for late in the season. But he showed a lot of heart, got smart and hit his spots.”
VanSickle said in the third inning, “balls didn’t bounce our way. The strike zone was very interesting today. But (California) had to deal with it too.”
He added, “We need to get one more win to be eligible for the playoffs and we’ll go from there.”