Jul 16, 2003 By The 3 min read

Carmichaels came out hitting and never looked back in completing its sweep over California in the opening round of the Fayette County American Legion baseball playoffs. Carmichaels stroked 20 hits, including seven doubles, and saw all starters and subs get at least one hit in an 11-1, eight-inning win over California Tuesday.

With the win, Carmichaels advances to the playoff semifinals by winning the first two games of the best-of-three series. Carmichaels will host the lowest remaining seed Friday in another best-of-three series.

Jared Lapkowicz earned the pitching win with six strong innings. He struck out four and walked only two. Colby Giles pitched the last two innings. Lapkowicz also clouted two doubles for Carmichaels, as did Shane Busti. Jono Menhart, Andy Mazur and Sean McCombs also doubled for the winners, who got three hits each from Menhart, Mazur, Jeff Lapkowicz, Matt Fanase and Jamie Kowalczyk.

Brian Dunn absorbed the loss for California, who got a double from Matt Morich.

Masontown-Point Marion 11, Charleroi 6 – Craig Hriblan pitched eight strong innings and Masontown-Point Marion pounded out 16 hits to even this Fayette County American Legion best-of-three series at one game apiece.

The deciding game will be played at 5:30 p.m. today at Masontown.

Sean McCahill was the offensive star for the winners. He was 5-for-6 with a two-run home run in the sixth inning and a double. McCahill drove in three runs. Chris Buncic reached base all six times he batted, with four stolen bases and a double. Bryan O’Neil doubled among two hits. Scott Piper was 3-for-4 and Josh Franks had two hits for Masontown-Point Marion.

Steve Wilkerson tripled and singled and Sam Cupelli doubled and singled for Charleroi, which pounded out 10 hits. Eric Lancas and Dave Wachinski had two apiece. Steve Carson took the pitching loss.

County League

Nick Damico pitched a complete-game two-hitter to lead Bud Murphy’s to a 5-1 win over Connellsville in Fayette County Baseball League action.

Brian Shipley broke open a 3-1 game with a two-run homer in the top of the fifth inning for Bud Murphy’s, which also got a double from Brian Sankovich.

Damico improved his record to 4-2 with the win, while Bud’s improved to 18-5 on the season. Mike Miskanin took the loss for Connellsville, which scored its run on a walk, hit batsman and an error.

Mario’s 7, Redstone 0 – Josh McMillan drove in three runs with a double among three hits and Ron Dellarose drove in two with a pair of singles to lead Mario’s to its 16th win in 21 games.

Chris Brunson pitched all seven innings without allowing a walk. He struck out 10 batters. Jason Greene also had two hits. Joe Testa absorbed the loss for Redstone, which fell to 2-18-1.

Rostraver 20, Locker Room 4 – Rostraver plated 14 runs on seven hits, three errors and five walks in the bottom of the first inning and never looked back in improving to 17-6-1 in county league action.

Pitcher Bill Calcagni improved to 5-0 and benefited from a 17-hit offensive attack. Rostraver got five doubles and Dave Pankiewicz tripled. Mike Welc and Brandon DePhillips each had a double and single, while Pat Palkovic had three singles and scored four runs.

A.J. Curtis had three singles and a double for Locker Room, while Jason Francis doubled and Chad Kovach tripled. George Sapic took the pitching loss.