May 21, 2004 By The 2 min read

Nearly 72 hours after Jared Lapkowicz tossed the first pitch to Earl Gilbert, Carmichaels finally closed out its win over Geibel Catholic. Lapkowicz and Karl Cole combined on a two-hitter, as the Mikes defeated the Gators, 6-1, in first-round WPIAL Class A baseball playoff action Thursday at California University of Pa.’s Roadman Park.

The teams resumed the game Thursday with Carmichaels batting in the bottom of the fourth inning. Play was suspended Monday at Cedar Creek Park after lightning forced both teams to be removed from the field on two occasions.

“I’m just glad to get it done,” said Mikes coach Dave Bates. “We were praying it wouldn’t go any longer because what it would have done to our pitching. Right now, we’re in an OK place.”

The defending WPIAL Class A champions will have little time to rest. Carmichaels (13-2) is back in action today, taking on Brentwood at Roadman Park at 11 a.m. in a quarterfinal-round matchup.

Lapkowicz started Monday’s game and worked one inning Thursday.

In five total innings, he allowed only Rob Ramsey’s infield single while striking out 12.

Cole worked the final two innings, allowed one hit, one run and struck out four.

Donny Hewitt tripled, doubled, singled and drove in two runs, and Shayne Busti homered and added a sacrifice fly to pace the Mikes.

Carmichels scored single runs in each of the first four innings, then added two more in the bottom of the sixth.

Geibel’s run crossed the plate in the top of the seventh inning when Ramsey was hit by a pitch, advanced to second on a wild pitch, moved to third on a fielder’s choice and scored on a wild pitch.

“They played well,” Bates said of Geibel. “(Coach) Mark Riggin does a nice job with them. They’re well-coached, they execute, and they do the things they need to do to win. They played us inning for inning.”