May 5, 2007 By Jim Downey 3 min read

CARMICHAELS – There’s literally little room for error the way things have gone this season in Section 2-A. Frazier committed three errors in the bottom of the sixth inning Friday, two on the same batter, nudging the door open for Carmichaels and the Mikes barged through with four runs on their way to a key late-season 5-1 home victory.

Carmichaels ends the week on a high note after losing three of its previous four section games. The Mikes (9-6) are tied with Geibel Catholic at 7-4, one game behind Jefferson-Morgan in the win column. California is in first place at 9-2 with Bentworth second at 9-3.

“You can go from first to fourth in one day like we did,” said Carmichaels coach Dave Bates. “California is not untouchable, and Geibel and Bentworth can beat anybody.

“Everyone has moments. We’re playing just well enough to beat one another.”

Carmichaels has three section games remaining. The Mikes travel to Jefferson-Morgan on Monday in a playoff-deciding game, and then stay at home on Tuesday with West Greene and Wednesday against Mapletown.

The game was tied at 1-1 through 5½ innings with Frazier starting pitcher Justin Berklovich doing a good job against the Mikes. Berklovich went 2-2 on the first batter of the sixth, Tim Voithofer, before inducing the Mikes’ No. 4 hitter into a pop foul. The chance was mishandled, giving Voithofer life, and he made the most of the chance when he lashed a fly to deep right that was once again mishandled for a two-base error.

“Two errors on one batter, that hurts,” lamented Frazier coach John Phillips. “We make an error, we give up a run. We’ve been doing it the whole season.”

Cody Andrews brought Voithofer home with a double, and Andrews came home on Marcus Robinson’s single with Robinson advancing to second when the ball was mishandled in the outfield.

Aaron Thompson singled Robinson to third, knocking out Berklovich and bringing Patrick Russell on in relief. Thompson stole second, a key move because winning pitcher Bill Musgrove smacked a single to left for a two-run hit.

Musgrove had a moment or two in the seventh inning after Eric Rock opened with a bad-bounce single, but struck out Justin Mathias, got Berklovich to fly out to right field, and Thompson bounced out his catcher’s position to make a nice play on Matt Kapinus’ swinging bunt to end the game.

“We knew Frazier would be tough to beat with Berklovich pitching,” said Bates. “We’ve played so far through the week everyone’s aces are back (and allowed to pitch).”

Frazier had the opportunity to blow the game open in its first at-bat, but the Commodores could only muster one run on four hits. The visitors stranded one runner in both the second and third innings, and two more in the fourth.

“We didn’t run the bases well. We made too many mistakes,” said Phillips.

The Mikes also had one runner on in each of the first three innings, but it was another error that led to the tying run.

Ethan Virgili opened the bottom of the third with a single. After an outfield fly out, a possible double play was lost on an errant throw, allowing Virgili to score.

Musgrave pitched 3 1-3 innings in relief for the win. Andrews went 2-for-3 while Chuck Gasti finished 2-for-4.

Matt Kapinus went 2-for-4 and scored the Commodores’ lone run.