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County League semifinals

By The 4 min read

Seventh-inning rally lifts Copperheads past Cokers Bud Murphy’s put together one of the most dramatic rallies in Fayette County Baseball League playoff history in Game 3 against Mill Run to win its first-round series on Tuesday.

On Friday, however, Bud’s found itself on the opposite side against Carmichaels in Game 2 of their best-of-five semifinal series.

The Copperheads took advantage of four walks and a clutch hit by Gene Franks in a three-run, seventh-inning rally that lifted them to a 4-2 victory over the Cokers at Breakneck Field.

Carmichaels now leads the series 2-0 and will look for the clincher on Sunday when it hosts Bud Murphy’s at 5 p.m. in Game 3.

Mario’s waits in the wings, having already advanced to the best-of-seven championship series with a three-game sweep of Wana B Heros.

“It was a big win,” Copperheads manager Dickie Krause said. “Any time you can beat a well-coached Bud Murphy’s team on their field, it’s gratifying.”

Krause is taking nothing for granted, though, despite being one win away from the finals.

“You know 2-0 is nice, but it’s not 3-0, and based on what they did to Mill Run last series, you know they absolutely do not quit,” said Krause, whose team is seeking its sixth County League title in 11 years. “There’s a long way to go in this series. It’s Bud Murphy’s. They’ve always been our rival. Every game between us is a battle, and today was no exception.”

Bud’s trailed Mill Run 6-1 in the bottom of the seventh before erupting for eight runs, the final three on Kevin Hiles’ three-run, walk-off homer.

This time the Cokers held a 2-1 lead after six innings against Carmichaels thanks to the strong pitching of Casey Shultz.

The Copperheads used patience in their final at bat, and it paid off.

Josh Pratt and Brad Baker opened the inning with consecutive walks, forcing Bud’s manager Tom Sankovich to call on reliever Brian Hilbert. Chris Buncic also walked, but Hilbert struck out Rick Smykla and retired Joe Leonard on an infield pop out.

Down to its final out, Carmichaels sent Charlie Humes to the plate, who fouled off two full-count pitches before drawing a walk to force in the tying run.

“Down by a run, you have to make the pitcher work a little harder and take a few pitches, and it worked for us,” Krause said.

After Humes walked, Franks dropped a two-run single into right-center field to put the Copperheads up 4-2.

The game wasn’t over yet, though.

Bud’s threatened against winning pitcher Dan Burkintas in its final at bat, and again walks created the threat.

Corey Fox drew a one-out walk and Brian Showman also walked to allow Bud’s to bring the winning run to the plate, but Burkintas got both the clutch-hitting Hiles and the dangerous Brian Sankovich on fly outs to center fielder Chris Buncic to end the game.

Burkintas allowed two runs on just three hits, but walked seven and struck out one in going the distance.

Losing pitcher Shultz, who was charged with all four runs on three hits with five walks and six strikeouts, impressed Krause.

“Their starting pitcher threw a heck of a game,” Krause said. “We knew a little bit about him because he plays at Seton Hill with a couple of our guys. He absolutely dominated us for six innings, but I think he got a little tired at the end.”

The Cokers scored their only two runs off Burkintas in the second inning when Mark Riggin walked and Alex Lefcakis socked a two-run homer to make it 2-0.

Carmichaels scored its first run in the third when Buncic drew a two-out walk, stole second and scored on Smykla’s single to center.

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