California tops Frazier to keep playoff hopes alive
PERRYOPOLIS – California kept its flickering Section 1-A playoff hopes alive Wednesday afternoon, beating Frazier on the road, 9-4. The Trojans (3-5, 6-6-1) gave coach Don Hartman the type of baseball he wants to see. Good pitching, solid defense and aggressive hitting.
Matt Hartman led the California offense with three hits, five RBIs and scored a run. Brandon Rossi also had three hits for the Trojans and scored three runs.
Pitcher Ben Carson went the distance for the Trojans, striking out seven.
“The top of our order did what they were supposed to do today,” Hartman said. “We got some runners on and came through with a couple of big hits and took advantage of some of their miscues that I think broke their back.”
California jumped on the Commodores early, taking a 2-0 lead in the first. Rossi and Dustin Martinak opened the game with consecutive singles, and Matt Hartman delivered a one out single to drive them home.
Frazier (3-6, 5-6) got one of those runs back in the bottom of the first. Dave Genua was safe on an error. He moved to second when Craig Rebovich was hit by a pitch with one out. He stole third with Rebovich moving to second on the play. Matt Shaporka drew a walk to load the bases with one out, and Genua scored on a passed ball at the plate. Carson came back to get Brandon Barcello to hit into a 4-6-3 double play to end the inning.
California added two more in the top of the third. Rossi singled and stole second, and Carson drew a walk with one out. Matt Hartman then singled to right. The ball was misplayed, allowing both runners to score, and Hartman ending up at third on the play. Travis VanOlst grounded back to Commodores pitcher Justin Berklovich who caught Hartman in a rundown to erase a potential run. He then got Preston Shaw to fly to left to end the inning.
Frazier picked up two more runs in the bottom of the inning. Shaporka doubled to lead off. Barcello doubled to right, but Shaporka only moved to third on the play, thinking the ball might be caught. With one out, Eric Adams drew a walk to load the bases. Ronnie Holp flied to center field but the ball was not deep enough to force home a run. Chris Ross was hit by a pitch to force in one run, then Genua drew a bases loaded walk to force in another run making the score 4-3 in favor of California.
“It’s frustrating because we practice every day and make the plays but we fail to carry it over to the game,” Frazier coach John Phillips said. “Berklovich pitched well but we’ve got to make some plays behind him. It’s not just one guy; everybody has made mistakes this season. With five seniors returning I thought we really had a chance to challenge for the playoffs. Right now we’ve got to pull ourselves together and try to pick up some wins to finish the season on a positive note.”
California added three more runs in the fifth. Martinak singled to start the inning, then Carson drew a walk. Matt Hartman doubled to drive in both runs. VanOlst was safe on an error at first, which allowed Hartman to score giving the Trojans a 7-3 lead.
California scored two more runs in the top of the sixth when Zac Edmiston and Rossi had back-to-back singles with one out. Both runners advanced on a throwing by the catcher and then scored on an error at first.
Frazier picked up the game’s final run when Ross singled and moved to second on a base hit by Genua. Berklovich’s ground ball forced Genua at second, leaving runners at first and third. Rebovich singled to drive in Ross.
“I thought we played a solid baseball game today,” Hartman said. “Now we have to get ready for Mapletown on Friday and I hope we get another good pitching performance. I keep telling them we’re playing for pride. So we’ll have some fun and see what happens.”