Aug 5, 2009 3 min read

CHARLEROI – Mario’s manager Lou Pasquale knew his team needed a spark in the top of the ninth inning against Mitch’s Bail Bonds Tuesday night after failing to maintain a tenuous 3-2 lead after seven innings. With that in mind, Pasquale literally went to bat for his team and provided a crucial base hit in Mario’s 4-3 win and a 2-0 lead in the series at Veterans Memorial Field. “It’s a spark if I get a hit,” said Pasquale. “Going out to bat they know I’m not going to swing early, so I worked the batting down until I got my hit.”

Pasquale took a 1-0 A.J. Kerr pitch for a single, and Joby Lapkowicz came in as the pinch runner. After the bases were loaded with another single and a walk, catcher Stephan Herman hit a sacrifice fly to right field that allowed Lapkowicz to score the game winner.

Mario’s rallied back to take the lead earlier in the game. With a 2-2 score at the top of the seventh inning, Chad Rice connected for a single and was driven in by Jason Greene’s double to make the score 3-2.

However, Mitch’s tied the game in the bottom of the seventh with twin errors on the shortstop that at first allowed Brian Harewicz to get on base and then score a couple of batters later to tie the game, 3-3.

Mitch’s had previously rallied from the 2-0 deficit with runs in the bottom of the fifth and sixth innings.

In the bottom of the fifth, Ben Carson advanced to second on first baseman Jared Lapkowicz’s error and scored on a Jason Britton single to cut the lead to 2-1.

Mario’s starting pitcher Marty Fagler walked Nate Raffle and then gave up a triple to Ryan Kabana in his first at-bat that resulted in Raffle’s score and a tie ball game at 2-2.

Mario’s first lead came in the top of the third when Corey Sawka and Joby Lapkowicz both scored on second baseman Troy Speicher’s error to make the score 2-0.

“We scored when we had the opportunity too,” said Pasquale. “We had guys on base, and when you have a chance to score on an error, especially in a close game, you have to take advantage of that. We didn’t have the best of hitting tonight, so we’re happy to get the win.”

That was one of the few mistakes for Mitch’s as their starting pitcher Matt Dishing was lethal, striking out 14 batters in seven innings of work while surrendering only four hits and five walks.

“Dishong pitched great for us again tonight,” said Mitch’s manager Ryan Encapera. “He’s a real warrior for us, and did the same thing he did for us Sunday. He’s pitched a lot and we rely on him a lot.”

“We hung tight tonight,” said Encapera. “They took a 2-0 lead on an error and that was the difference early. We had some guys on base in the bottom of the first, but a double play eliminated that chance. We just needed some more hitting. We’re going up against the top seed, so we knew the challenge ahead of us.”

Fagler finished his night after six innings, allowing seven hits, seven strikeouts and two walks, while teammate Todd Dunham picked up the win.

Mario’s will have a chance to clinch the series on Thursday at Redstone Park with a start time of 5:45 p.m.