Local roundup: Carmichaels holds off Mill Run in playoff opener, 6-5
Hunter Mamie smashed a grand slam in a six-run fourth inning and Carmichaels held off visiting Mill Run, 6-5, in the opener of their Fayette County Baseball League first-round playoff series on Sunday.
The Millers trailed 6-3 in the top of the seventh when they parlayed singles by Hunter Smiley, Beau Bigam and Anthony DeMarco and an error into a run against reliever Ethan Erhard to pull within two.
Copperheads manager Dickie Krause called on Andino Vecchiolla to relieve Erhard with two on and one out and he allowed a walk to load the bases before retiring the next two batters. Cade Warrick was hit by a pitch to bring in another run with the tying run advancing to third base, but Vecchiolla recorded a game-ending strikeout to earn the save.
Carmichaels’ big fourth inning began with a double by Santino Marra and singles by Noah Mildren and Luke Camden with Marra taking home on an outfield error and Mildren scoring on Camden’s hit. The Copperheads plated their second run on an infield error then Tyler Richmond drew a two-out walk to load the bases for Mamie who sent a drive over the left field fence to make it 6-0.
Mill Run (10-9) got to within four in the top of the fifth when Josh Burns singled and Anthony Piasecki followed with a two-run homer.
Winning pitcher Gianna Contini allowed three runs on three hits with four walks and 10 strikeouts in five innings.
Marra and Mildren had two hits apiece for the Copperheads.
Bigam had two hits but took the loss, surrendering six runs on six hits in five innings although only one run was earned. He walked two and struck out five. DeMarco pitched a scoreless sixth.
Game two of the best-of-3 series was scheduled to be played Monday evening.
Thursday, July 17
Carmichaels 6, Youghiogheny 0 – Alec Englemore and Gianni combined on a five-hit shutout as the Carmichaels Copperheads blanked host Youghiogheny Valley in Fayette County Baseball League action.
Luke Camden had a double, single and an RBI for Carmichaels (16-2) which also got two hits apiece from Santino Marra, AJ Vanata and Dom Obiecunas.
Englemore gave up four hits and one walk with four strikeouts in earning the win. Cantini allowed one hit and one walk with one strikeout in tossing the final two frames.
Conner Burkey doubled and singled for Youghiogheny (6-12). Losing pitcher Sam Smalich surrendered four runs on nine hits in five innings.
The Copperheads were clinging to a 1-0 lead until putting together a five-run rally in the top of the sixth inning. Tyler Richmond, Hunter Mamie, Camden and Noah Mildren each had an RBI in the frame which also included a steal of home by Mildren.
Wednesday, July 16
Carmichaels 7, Brownsville 3 – Santino Marra hit a grand slam and Carmichaels rallied for a victory over Brownsville in Fayette County Baseball League play at Carmichaels Area Junior/Senior High School.
The game was the completion of a suspended game that had Brownsville in front, 2-0. The visitors added a run in the top of the fourth inning for a 3-0 lead before the Copperheads (15-2) scored one in the bottom of the fourth and six in the fifth.
Marra’s home run put Carmichaels ahead 6-3. Noah Mildren followed with a solo home run for a 7-3 advantage.
Hunter Hamilton, Gianni Cantini and Hunter Mamie all singled to set the stage for Marra. Dom Colarusso walked and scored on Mamie’s base hit.
Ethan Erhard earned the win on the mound after allowing one earned run on one hit over four innings. He struck out six and walked one.
Matt Malinsky and Wyatt Nehls had two hits apiece for Brownsville. Nehls drove in a run in the first inning.