Aug 4, 2010 By Kevin Harrison for The 3 min read

BULLSKIN TWP. – Bud Murphy’s picked up some timely hits to scratch out some runs, and winning pitcher Marty Fagler survived a rally in the sixth as Bud’s edged Mill Run 3-2 to take a 1-0 lead in their best of five semifinal series in the Fayette County Baseball league playoffs. Bud’s got two hits each from Jason Greene, Andy Schleihauf and Brian Sankovich, while Cole Lowman stroked a solo homer in the second.

Fagler, who struck out 12, held Mill Run to three hits. Mill Run got doubles from losing pitcher Bobby Fulton and Andrew Brooks.

“Marty struggled through the first inning, but it seemed like he got stronger through the middle innings,” Bud’s manager Lou Pasquale said. “It got a little scary in the sixth, but that’s the Mill Run team I’m used to seeing. Before the start of the seventh inning, I asked him if he had anything left. Fortunately for us he was able to finish.”

Mill Run threatened in the first inning when Fagler issued three consecutive walks to load the bases with one out. He came back to strike out Kris Firestone and got David Sumner to hit a ground ball to force the runner at second.

In the bottom half of the inning, Greene singled for Bud’s, and Schleihauf was hit by pitch. Fulton, who gave Mill Run another gritty performance, got Brian Sankovich to fly to center and Mike Herman to ground out to third to escape the inning.

In the top of the second, Mill Run threatened again when Brooks doubled to start the inning. Fagler came back to strike out the next three batters to strand the runner.

Bud’s posted the first run of the game in the bottom half of the inning, as Lowman took a Fulton offering to center field for the solo homer.

“It was a pretty good pitcher’s duel today,” Mill Run’s Ray Orndorff said. “Bobby and Marty locked horns and went right at people. However, they got the hits and we couldn’t generate much offense outside of the sixth inning.”

Bud’s added another run in the third. Greene singled with one out. Schleihauf and Sankovich followed with consecutive singles, and a Greene scored on Sankovich’s hit, making the score 2-0.

Bud’s increased the lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the fifth. Casey Teagarden opened the inning with a walk. He moved to second on a ground ball to third by Greene. Schleihauf followed with his second hit of game, driving in Teagarden.

“Brian and Andy came through with some key hits to drive in runs,” Pasquale said. ” Usually three runs is not enough. Fortunately today it was.”

Mill Run sprung to life in the top of the sixth. Fulton doubled to open the inning. Dennis Show singled to center, allowing Fulton to score. On the throw to the plate, Show moved into second before he advanced to third on a passed ball. Jim Warrick drew a walk and was replaced by pinch runner Richie Orndorff. Fagler got Firestone to hit into a 6-4-3 double play that allowed Show to score what would be the game’s final run.

“We have some young kids in the lineup, so it helps when they see some seasoned pitching. They’ll get better,” Orndorff said. ” We have Jason Halfhill going for us tomorrow. He’ll keep us in the game. If we can get some runs for him we’ll be okay.”

Bud’s will counter Halfhill with Nick Damico. Tonight’s game at Mill Run starts at 5:45.