Charleroi sweeps California in Legion playoff series, 2-0
CALIFORNIA – Just in case California didn’t get enough of Kris Marchewka in Game 1 of its Fayette American Legion playoff series with Charleroi, the third baseman made sure to leave another mark in Game 2 Saturday. Slugging from the cleanup spot again, Marchewka racked up four hits in six plate appearances, including two home runs – his 10th and 11th of the season – as Charleroi swept the three-game series with an 11-0 win.
“We’re hitting the ball,” Charleroi manager Luke Mollis said. “What else can I say? The kids are hitting the ball well and we picked up right where we left off from yesterday’s game.”
The Charleroi offense pounded 16 hits in the 11-run effort with Mario Fragello, Neil Pascarella, Nate Helster, Marchewka and Kyle Fisher all collecting at least two apiece.
Charleroi starter Matt Dishong pitched the first five innings, holding California to only three singles. He picked up the win as Brandon Wyvratt sealed the shutout by striking out six in the final four innings.
“Matt pitched well,” Mollis said. “He and Marchewka have been our top two guys all season and we knew what we were going to get out of him. Plus, we’re making the defensive plays behind our pitchers.”
Charleroi’s defense played errorless baseball Saturday after committing three in Game 1.
“They were small errors Friday and they didn’t hurt much,” Mollis said. “It was much better today and they’re making all the routine plays and then some.”
After jumping out to an early 2-0 lead in the first inning, Charleroi added three more in the top half of the second, which was highlighted by Marchewka’s solo home run over the fence in right-center field.
Fisher added a home run of his own in the fourth inning, deep into the trees over center field. Marchewka wouldn’t be outdone by his teammate, though, as he belted another shot over the left-center field fence in the sixth inning for a seven-run lead.
With the seven-run lead in the ninth, Charleroi added four insurance runs with an RBI single by Fragello and a two-run double by Pascarella.
Wyvratt struck out the side in the bottom of the ninth to finish with six strikeouts to end the game to send Charleroi back home to prepare for the beginning of the second round of the playoffs.
Andy Galis led the California offense, picking up two of the team’s four hits, both singles.
Starting pitcher Todd Chizler suffered the loss, allowing seven runs in six innings, while striking out one and walking six. Ben Carson worked the final three innings in relief for California.
Charleroi will meet up with Connellsville, which received a forfeit victory in its series against Point Marion, in the second round, which is slated to begin Tuesday.
Charleroi took two out of three against Connellsville in the regular season. The home team won each time in the regular season, which is something Mollis believes will be key for the playoff series as well.
“Obviously it’s huge,” he said. “It’s very tough to play Connellsville on their field and we know that. Having the home-field advantage is a great thing.
“And as long as we keep playing like this we should do fine.”