Big inning helps Belle Vernon defeat Charleroi, 9-3
Submitted photo
Belle Vernon scored six runs in the bottom of the second inning for a 9-3 victory over visiting Charleroi on Wednesday to secure the Fayette County American Legion Baseball League best-of-3 semifinal series.
Belle Vernon, who finished first in the regular season standings, will host Connellsville, the second-place team, on Monday at 6:30 p.m. in a winner-take-all championship game.
Belle Vernon was leading 2-0 when the offense put up six runs in the bottom of the second inning.
Cole Matusik and Colton Lee both walked with the bases loaded. Austin Hoffman was hit by a pitch to drive in another run, and JB Crovak followed with a bases-loaded triple.
Charleroi countered with two runs in the top of the third inning. Both teams scored a run in the fourth inning.
Mason Suss earned the victory in relief of starter Alex Nash. Suss allowed one run on one hit with four walks and seven strikeouts in four innings. Nash allowed two runs on six hits with two walks and three strikeouts in three innings.
Austin Hoffman led Belle Vernon with a pair of doubles. Jaxson Bozek finished with a pair of singles. Lee drove in two runs.
Gavin Kovach drove in two runs for Charleroi. Danny Verscharen knocked home one run.