Mill Run advances to Fayette County Baseball League semifinals
MILL RUN – If the County League ever creates an “Iron Man Award” for pitchers, Doug Gallick will receive a lot of votes for the honor out of Mill Run. Gallick pitched 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief on Monday when Mill Run came from behind to nip Fayette City-Belle Vernon in eight innings. Tuesday, he came on in relief again, this time working three innings of scoreless, one-hit ball to pick up his second decision in two days as Mill Run tripped FC-BV, 9-6, to win the first round playoff series, two games to one and advance to the semifinals.
Manager Bugs Orndorff said, “Todd (starter Bell) got in trouble and Doug came on and threw strikes, bailing us out for the second day in a row. He told me before the game that even though he pitched yesterday his arm felt good, and I knew he could finish the game.”
Mill Run scored six runs in the first inning. FC-BV tied it with six in the second, and battled from there until play was halted by darkness after the visitors had batted in the top of the sixth.
Orndorff added, “We never gave up. It started Monday at Fayette City. We’re hitting the ball now, which we were not doing at the start of the season, and even on Sunday. Defense was also a big factor for us today, and Jeremy (SS miller) was our leader there.”
FC-BV manager Dan Palm agreed with the latter, adding, “They are solid all around, especially on defense, and Miller is their field leader. Mill Run is a veteran, well-coached team, and that is a big factor in the playoffs. Gallick came on and gave them a fine relief effort, working the strike zone very well.”
Jim Russell had the big blow for the visitors, a three-run double in the second. Mill Run had 10 hits off three pitchers, including Richie Orndorff’s double, single and three RBIs, Kris Firestone’s double and single (2 RBI), Miller’s two singles (2 RBI), Dan Gratchic’s double and single and John Warrick’s double.
Mill Run came out swinging and took a 6-0 lead in the first. Dennis Show beat out a bunt to lead off and scored on Firestone’s double. Then Miller singled, John Warrick was nicked by a pitch, Mike Doppelheuer walked to load the bases, and a Jim Warrick grounder was thrown home for the force on Miller. Gratchic then singled and Orndorff doubled in two. That was all for starter Justin Murphy, and Andy Chopp took over, getting two outs, around two walks.
Fayette City-Belle Vernon came right back with six in the top of the second, striking with two out. With one out, Brian Horner singled and was forced by Matt McCain. Then Bob Bowser, Tim Latham, Ben Cieply, Chopp and Ryan Russell walked to force in three runs, leaving the bases loaded, and Jim Russell unloaded them with a two-base shot to right.
Mill Run went ahead with two in the third on walks to Orndorff and Show, Miller’s single and an error. Gratchic’s two-out double and Orndorff’s single ended scoring in the fourth.
Palm cited his team’s effort, noting, “It was a real tough loss, but I’m proud of their effort overall. They gave up six in the first and came right back with six of their own. I think we grew up in the playoffs. We came within one strike of winning the series on Monday and then played like they did today. We are a young team, and I think we had a good season despite our 11-16 record. If we can stay together, maybe add a player or two, we will try to reverse that.”
Looking ahead, Orndorff noted, “Right at this moment I’m not sure who we will be playing in the second round, but we probably won’t start until Thursday. The other teams are playing tonight, and we’re supposed to get a day’s break between each series.”