Copperheads rout Little Joeys Pizza, 17-0
Carmichaels jumped out to a three-run lead en route to a 17-0 victory over Little Joeys Pizza to win the best-of-three Fayette County Baseball League semifinal playoff series on Sunday at Carmichaels High School.
The Copperheads (19-3) advanced to the Fayette County Baseball League Championship Series where they will host Mill Run (13-9) on Tuesday at Wana B Park 6 p.m.
“Mill Run has pitching depth they didn’t have last year,” Carmichaels manager Dickie Krause said. “They didn’t have Trevor (Farrell) or Jimmy (Malone) last year. I think it will be a nice series. We really like and respect those guys. They are great for the league and it will be quite a challenge to be them in the series.”
Little Joeys Pizza (6-15-1) sees its season come to an end, but Krause was impressed with the first-year team and how manager/player Tyler Spohn handled his young players.
“I want to give a lot of credit to Little Joeys Pizza,” Krause said. “I give Tyler (Spohn) a lot of credit. He did a great job with that team in its first year and they are good team for the league. He will do a great job with them in the future.”
Carmichaels’ Joe Havrilak hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the first after leadoff batter Hunter Robinson drew and 11-pitch walk, and Jake Callaway reached base via base on balls. Harvilak added a single and had four RBIs.
“That was huge to get an early lead,” Krause said. “I was curious to see how we would respond after a tough loss in Game 2. You have to give them credit because Brandon Lawless pitched well. We got a real quick jump tonight.”
Copperheads starting pitcher Ryan Minteer pitched a no-hitter over five innings, as the game was called with the 10-run Mercy Rule in effect. Minteer had three strikeouts and walked two.
Carmichaels increased its lead to 9-0 with five runs in the second, and put the Mercy Rule into effect with an eight-run third on seven hits.
“We had at least one starter get a hit or reach base tonight,” Krause said.
Chuck Gasti had a double, two singles and three RBIs for the Copperheads.
Willie Palmer took the loss for Little Joeys Pizza after recording two strikeouts and four walks in two innings.