Connellsville breaks game open in middle innings
Andrew Baugh
Connellsville’s Mike Parlak (5) tries to avoid the tag from California catcher Jake Columbus at home during Thursday’s Fayette American Legion Baseball League game at California High School’s field.
California's Michael Luketich (16) tries to avoid the tag from Connellsville's Evan Onusko as he slides into second base during Thursday’s Fayette American Legion Baseball League game at California’s High School's field.
Connellsville's Cam Bernhardt (9) tries to beat the throw to first base during Thursday’s Fayette American Legion Baseball League game at California’s High School's Field.
COAL CENTER — Connellsville scored a combined 12 runs in the fourth and fifth innings to break open a close game on the way to an 18-6 Fayette American Legion Baseball League win over California on Thursday.
“We only had nine guys; a bunch of young guys with five starters out,” said California coach Brian Previsky. “With work and AAU ball it’s tough. They battled, but we’re 13 games behind. We saw some positives and some negatives we have to work on.”
California (1-2) got a late start on its Legion schedule because the California High School baseball team went deep into the PIAA playoffs.
Connellsville coach John Przybylinski said his team came ready to play because they aren’t allowed to take any opponent for granted.
“I never have pregame expectations against any team because it can get you in trouble. We came out ready tonight,” Przybylinski said.
Connellsville (8-4) built a 4-0 lead in the first two innings as Garrett Brooks tripled, doubled and scored twice. Cam Bernhardt had an RBI single and Grant Wortman drove in a run in each of the first two innings.
California cut the lead to 4-3 with a pair of second inning runs and another run in the third. Starting pitcher Kyle Newman, Jake Columbus, and C.J. Novak each had RBI singles in that span.
But, Connellsville sent 22 batters to the plate over the fourth and fifth innings in which Mike Parlak and Evan Onusko each drove in three runs to highlight a 12-run onslaught. Brooks also had a single to come within a home run of hitting for the cycle, while scoring his third and fourth runs.
The visitors added single runs in the sixth and seventh innings to offset single runs by California in the final two innings as Connellsville won by the 10-run rule.
Ryan Huey pitched six innings to get the win, and Bernhardt got two strikeouts and a ground out in relief after the hosts scored their final run in the seventh.
Parlak had four hits for Connellsville while Novak, Columbus, and Devin Zahand each had two hits for California.
Connellsville visits Uniontown at 6 p.m. tonight in Hopwood and Przybylinski said he expects one of the usual tight battles between the local rivals.
“We’re always amped up for a Uniontown game. We’ll be ready and it should be good for the fans, too,” he said.