Aug 7, 2009 2 min read

REPUBLIC – Bring on the rematch. For the fourth time in seven seasons, Mario’s and Blue Mountain will meet in the championship series of the Fayette County Baseball League. Mario’s completed a three-game semifinal sweep of Mitch’s Bail Bonds Thursday with a 7-0 win at Doug Dascenzo Field, where the best-of-seven championship series will begin tonight at 5:45 p.m.

Players have changed on both sides, and Mario’s had a different sponsor last season, but the two finalists always enjoy going head-to-head. Mario’s has yet to defeat Blue Mountain for the league championship, but manager Lou Pasquale said his team’s only immediate concern is to win the first game.

Pitcher Joby Lapkowicz was the big story for Mario’s, allowing one hit and striking out 10 batters in six innings. Lapkowicz struck out six of the first seven batters and allowed two base runners-a solid single by opposing pitcher Ben Carson in the fourth inning, and a walk to Doug Thomas in the fifth inning.

Dave Novotny pitched the seventh inning for Mario’s and gave up one hit while striking out one batter.

Mario’s scored in every inning, led by Shayne Busti, who drove in three runs on two hits, including a solo home run in the third inning.

Chad Rice walked in the first inning, stole second and third and scored on Busti’s grounder.

Jeff Lapkowicz singled in the second inning, and later scored on a wild pitch with two outs.

Busti’s home run made it 3-0 in the third, and Mario’s made it 5-0 in the fourth when Chad Rice singled to drive in Jared Lapkowicz and Scott Van Sickle.

Van Sickle’s sacrifice fly drove in Jeff Lapkowicz in the fifth and Busti’s sixth-inning single drove in Drew Denham.

Pasquale said the combination of Lapkowicz’s pitching, good defense and scoring in every inning provided a well-rounded performance. “Anytime you win a playoff game, you’ve got to be excited.”

He called Busti “the best player in the league all-around. When he’s on, there’s nobody better.”

Mitch’s manager Ryan Encapera tipped his hat to Lapkowicz. He said his team was competitive throughout the season. “We had good pitching all year but we didn’t hit the ball well. When we had runners on base we couldn’t score them. But it is what it is.”

After tonight’s opening game, the second game of the finals will be scheduled for Sunday at Carmichaels.