Mikes keep rolling along with 6-4 win
PERRYOPOLIS — The Carmichaels Mighty Mikes went on the road Monday afternoon and overcame a little late-inning fatigue to get a 6-4 win at Frazier in Section 1-AA action.
The Mikes (10-1, 10-2) got solid performance from starting pitcher Brad Ruse, who gave the Mikes 4.1 solid innings before tiring in the fifth. He was picked up by relievers Gavin Pratt and Nick Mundell.
“This was Brad’s first start of the year and he did everything we asked of him today,” Mikes coach Dickie Krause said. “We didn’t hit the ball like we wanted to today. We made a couple of mistakes and Frazier picked away at us. This is our third game in four days. I think we ran out of gas a little bit but I’m real happy to get out of here with A WIN.”
Carmichaels picked up a run in the first inning when Pratt singled for the first of his three hits in the game. He was sacrificed to second by Matthew Barrish and moved to third on a passed ball. Pratt scored on Al Cree’s fly ball to center.
The Mikes added another run in the second when Dylan Wilson led off with a double and scored on a single by Collin Reynolds.
Frazier starter Trevor Hayes battled the Mikes and kept the game close until running into trouble in the top of the fifth. Facing the top of the order, Pratt singled and stole second. Barrish singled and then Cree’s base-hit drove in Pratt. With runners at first and second, Barrish moved to third when a pick-off attempt went into center field. Barrish scored on Nick Mundell’s slow roller back to the mound.
Nathan Broadwater delivered a two-out single to drive in Cree, increasing the Carmichaels’ lead to 5-0.
Ruse started to tire in the bottom of the fifth inning and Timmy Sedok ended Ruse’s no-hitter with a solid single to center to start the inning.
Shane McGavitt drew a walk and Jacob Olbrys hit a one-out single to load the bases. Josh Skotnicki drew a walk to force in Sedok.
Ruse was lifted in favor of Pratt. With two outs and the bases loaded, George Smalich drew a walk, forcing in McGavitt. Pratt was then able to strike out J.D. Celaschi to end the inning.
“You have to give Carmichaels credit. They manufacture runs and made the plays when they had to. That’s something I’ve been stressing to my kids all year,” Frazier’s Craig Kordich said. “We produced some runs and had some opportunities, but we didn’t get that one big hit that we needed.”
Carmichaels added another run in the top of the sixth. Pratt drew a walk and managed to steal second. Pratt stole third and came home when the throw from the catcher went into left field.
Frazier (2-6, 3-7) fought its way back with two more runs in the bottom half of the inning.
Mason Kelly stroked a double to center and moved to third on a wild pitch. Sedok was hit by a pitch and McGavitt drew a walk to load the bases. That forced Pratt from the mound and Nick Mundell moved in to pitch.
Kelly scored on a wild pitch, with the other runners advancing a base. Sedok attempted to score on a wild pitch, but was tagged out at the plate. McGavitt moved to third on the play and then scored on a passed ball for the game’s final run.
“This was a gutty effort by my kids playing so many games close together,” Krause said. “We still have two more games this week, so we’ll be playing five games in six days. We had to watch our pitch count with the last to guys, but I think we’ll be okay.”