Lawless, Mikes gut out 5-4 win over Southern Fulton
Monday’s PIAA Class A baseball playoff game between Carmichaels and Southern Fulton comes to an end as Southern Fulton’s Dillan Lashley can’t beat Ty Coles’ throw to Carmichaels first baseman Justin Newman (11) at Somerset Area High School. Carmichaels defeated Southern Fulton, 5-4. (Photo by Joel Brewton)
In photo at right, Carmichaels’ Josh Bogucki (2) cartwheels over home plate to score a run against Southern Fulton during Monday’s PIAA Class A baseball playoff game at Somerset Area High School. (Photo by Joel Brewton)
Carmichaels' Brandon Lawless throws the final pitch of the game to secure a 5-4 win against Southern Fulton in Monday's PIAA Class A baseball playoff game at Somerset Area High School.
Carmichaels' Ty Cole hits a single against Southern Fulton to bring home Brennen McMinn for the first run of during Monday's PIAA Class A baseball playoff game at Somerset Area High School.
Joel Brewton
Carmichaels celebrates their 5-4 victory against Southern Fulton in Monday’s PIAA Class A baseball playoff game at Somerset Area High School.
Carmichaels' Ryan Zalar (17) and Southern Fulton's Trent Rider (27) bump fists following Monday's PIAA Class A baseball playoff game at Somerset Area High School. Carmichaels won, 5-4.
SOMERSET — The Carmichaels baseball team tends to keep its faithful on the edge of their seats, and the Mikes kept their PIAA Class A first-round playoff game against Southern Fulton interesting to the final pitch Monday before closing out a 5-4 victory at Somerset High School.
Carmichaels now advances to the state quarterfinals Thursday against District 9 champion Elk County Catholic, who advanced with a 3-2 win over Sewickley Academy, the third team out of the WPIAL. The Mikes are the last district team standing after California was edged by Cranberry, 2-1.
The game featured more combined runs (9) than hits (8) and just five earned runs, not necessarily the stuff of a state playoff game.
“We always find a way to make things interesting,” said Carmichaels coach Scott VanSickle. “(Southern Fulton) showed why they’re 22-2. That’s a good team.”
The Mikes (15-3) made the most of only one hit in the top of the first inning by scoring two runs.
Behind 0-2, lead-off hitter Brennan McMinn hit a bleeder over third base to barely reach the outfield grass on Somerset’s hybrid field (artificial infield and grass outfield) for a single. Ryan Zalar was hit by Jordan Clingerman’s next pitch. Zalar was forced at second on Michael Blasinsky’s ground ball to short.
Third baseman Dylan Gordon mishandled Ty Cole’s swinging bunt for an error to allow McMinn to score. Blasinsky came home on a wild pitch to spot the Mikes a 2-0 lead.
Connor Litton made the most of a foul ball that wasn’t caught by jacking Brandon Lawless’ 1-1 offering over the high left field fence for a lead-off home run.
Lawless settled down from that point, retiring 12 of the next 13 batters with the help of a caught stealing in the first inning and another in the fourth inning, Dylan Lashley both times.
Carmichaels loaded the bases on an error and two walks with no outs, signaling the end of Clingerman’s day. Clingerman earned the respect of VanSickle, however, after taking the mound with a broken hand.
“He was tagging out a kid at first base,” Southern Fulton coach Dustin Fischer said of the play that led to Clingerman’s injury. “It was his turn in the rotation. He couldn’t find the zone early and we couldn’t ride him any further.”
“The way that kid threw with a broken hand,” praised VanSickle.
Litton struck out McMinn, but Zalar’s bunt spun into play to score a stumbling courtesy runner Josh Bogucki, who caught a spike in the artificial surface and then scrambled back to touch the plate. Tyler Aeschbacher scored on Blasinsky’s fielder’s choice.
Carmichaels seemed to be cruising along after scoring another unearned run in the top of the fifth. Litton walked McMinn on a 3-2 pitch with two outs. Zalar singled McMinn to third and McMinn came home on a balk by Litton for yet another unearned run.
The bottom of the fifth started innocently enough when Lawless struck out Trent Rider. The strikeout pitch was the last strike Lawless would throw because he walked Casey Elbin, Tanner Elbin and Dylan Gordon on 12 straight balls. Litton worked the count to 3-2 before getting an RBI the easy way with a bases-loaded walk.
“We were cruising right along and then we walk four in a row,” said VanSickle.
“I really don’t know,” Lawless said, looking for an explanation for his wildness. “I was missing my spots. The slider and curve weren’t breaking.”
“Lawless was getting tired. We wanted to work him in the later innings,” said Fischer.
Clingerman cracked a single into right-center field to drive in two more runs before Lawless buckled down to end the threat with a strikeout and fly ball to right field.
The Mikes came to the plate in the top of the sixth inning with assistant coach Dickie Krause coaching third base, not VanSickle. VanSickle was cracked in the ribs by a foul ball, forcing him to the bench.
“I had to break a rib, but we won,” deadpanned VanSickle, who had an icepack on the injured area after the game.
Litton allowed two baserunners in the final two innings, stranding both. He struck out 11 and walked four in six innings of relief.
Lawless came back strong in the sixth, surviving an error to hold the Indians at bay.
“I asked Brandon if he remembered blowing that game against California. He said no,” said VanSickle. “We have seniors on this team and they took care of it themselves. That’s what they’re supposed to do.
“Anything can happen in a game like this. That’s what we expected. They’re kids.”
“I just had to shake it off and put it behind me,” said Lawless. “I had to make them try to hit a fastball. Coach VanSickle definitely boosts my ego.”
Litton came up with one out in the bottom of the seventh and Lawless told himself, “Don’t throw him a curve ball and leave it hanging.” Litton hit it to deep second for an infield single to keep the inning alive. Lawless got Clingerman to “go fishing” to strike him out on a 2-2 pitch for the second out.
Lashley hit a slow roller to shortstop Cole and his throw beat the runner to end the game.
Lawless struck out nine and walked four, allowing four runs (three unearned) on four hits.
“Lawless is the best pitcher we’ve seen all season,” said Fischer.
Now, the attention turns to the quarterfinals – and weather map. Since Lawless went seven innings, he won’t be able to pitch until Friday at the earliest.
“I’m going to do a rain dance,” smiled VanSickle, a thought echoed by Lawless. “Someone has to step up.”