Jul 23, 2007 By Local Roundup 6 min read

By The Herald-Standard Carmichaels was in big need of a lift to their season going into Sunday’s Fayette County Baseball League doubleheader against Bud Murphy’s.

Thanks to some terrific pitching and a few clutch hits, the defending league champions have a little more spring in their step after sweeping the host team, 6-3 and 3-2.

In game one, the Copperheads (15-9-2) took a 3-2 lead into the top of the seventh. Starting pitcher Eric Holt opened the inning with a walk, but was forced out on Brad Baker’s fielder’s choice. After Baker stole second, Gene Franks was intentionally walked by Bud’s starting pitcher, Elmer Engle. The next batter, Darrell Kuntz, came up with a clutch RBI single to put his team ahead 4-2.

Jeff Thompson followed with a single to plate Franks and run the score to 5-2. After Ron Nopwasky singled to load the base, relief pitcher Rich Means hit Josh Pratt with a pitch and brought Carmichaels’ sixth run around.

Bud Murphy’s (16-9) tried to tie the game in the bottom of seventh, but reliever Dan Burkintas slammed the door to close the game and record the save.

Thompson was the big hitter in the game for the Copperheads, adding a two-run homer in the second to give Carmichaels its first runs of the game.

Holt (3-0) yielded just two runs through five and a third innings of work. He recorded five strikeouts and walked six.

Engle took the loss for Bud Murphy’s, going 6-2/3 innings with one strikeout and seven walks.

The nightcap saw more of the same drama between the two teams.

With the Copperheads trailing 2-0 going into the top of the seventh, Franks led off the frame with a single and was followed by a Kuntz double to put runners at second and third. However, Bud Murphy’s starter Casey Schultz was able to put two outs on the board before pinch-hitter Chuck Gasti came to the plate.

Gasti slapped an opposite field single to plate runners and tie the game at two. After Gasti’s big hit, Shane Eckles picked up his third single of the game to put two men on for Baker.

Baker manage to come up with one more big play for the defending league champs as he drove a Schultz offering into the outfield for a double to score Gasti and put Carmichaels ahead for good.

After picking up a save the first game, Burkintas still had plenty of gas left in his tank as he improved his record to 5-3 by throwing seven strong innings. He scattered five hits for just two runs, while also picking up four strikeouts and four walks.

The Copperheads will try to keep their winning ways going tonight as they host Phil’s Tire for a 6 p.m. contest. Bud Murphy’s will also be in action tonight in Greene County when they head to Waynesburg.

California 7, Potter’s Clubhouse 2; California 4, Potter’s Clubhouse 1 – A young California team has played well down the stretch of the season and continued to do so in sweeping Potter’s Clubhouse at home.

In game one, California (12-15) dominated from start to finish. Jason Britton was 2-for-4 with two RBIs, Neil Pascarella went 2-for-2 with three runs scored, and Gus Galis finished 2-for-2 with two runs to lead the attack in support of starting pitcher Ben Carson.

Carson (2-0) threw a complete game, allowing just five hits and two runs, one of which was earned. He also recorded six strikeouts and walked four.

Brent Baker took the loss for Potter’s (4-19-1), going five innings, giving up 10 hits, seven earned runs, striking out two and walking five.

In second game, California used a big inning to propel itself to victory.

In the bottom of the fourth, Carson singled and stole second, Garrett Balas walked and Pascarella laid down a bunt single to load the bases. Justin Deutsch then stepped to the plate with the bags packed and came through with an RBI single. Rob Galis followed Deutsch with the big hit of the contest, a two-run single to put his team up 3-0.

Potter’s scratched out a run in the top of the fourth, but it was too little too late.

As in the first game, California had a stingy young pitcher on the hill as Derek Jansante threw a gem, a two-hit complete game in which he allowed just one unearned run. In improving his record to 2-1, Jansante recorded five strikeouts and two walks.

Dave Novotney threw six innings of six-hit ball to take the loss. He struck out seven and walked four.

The sweep runs California’s win streak to four and is now set up to end the year on a five-game run was it heads to Waynesburg on Wednesday. Potter’s will try to end their season on a high when they travel to Blaney Farms.

Mill Run 4, Phil’s Tire 1; Mill Run 5, Phil’s Tire 3 – Phil’s Tire mustered just four runs in a doubleheader sweep at home.

In the first game, Phil’s jumped out to an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, but wouldn’t push another run across the plate as Mill Run responded with three runs in the top of the second and one more in the top of the sixth.

During the second frame, Ryan Firestone walked, Andrew Sparger singled and Justin Coffman did the same to load the bases. Josh Coffman then came up with a two-run single that ended up being the game-winning run. Jim Warrick belted a solo shot in the sixth for a little added insurance.

Winning pitcher Chris Lynn was untouchable after the first on his way to a complete game victory. He struck out five and walked four.

Craig Conforti took loss for Phil’s. He struck out four and walked three along with yielding eight hits.

In the nightcap, Mill Run jumped out to a lead, but had to work hard to hold on for victory.

With the game scoreless in the top of the third, Fulton singled, Dennis Show reached on an error and Firestone singled in the game’s first run. After Jeff Kooser singled, Sparger slapped a run-scoring single to put his team ahead 2-0. After a fly out, Justin Coffman drew a walk off of Phil’s starter Tim Latham to put Mill Run up 3-0.

Phil’s responded with two runs in the bottom of the inning and another run in the bottom of the fourth to tie the contest at 3-3. Mill Run got back into the lead in the top of the fifth with another run and sealed the deal with their fifth score in the top of the seventh.

Jeff Kooser got the win in relief of starter Tom Cesario. Kooser pitched 4-2/3 innings in which he gave up just one run. Fulton went 4-for-4 with four singles and a run in victory, and Sparger contributed a 2-for-2 night with an RBI in the victory.

The sweep ends Mill Run’s season at 20-8 and they await to hear who they will draw in the first round of the playoffs, which are scheduled to start on Sunday.

Phil’s Tire will be back in action today as they head to Carmichaels.