On Wednesday at Carmichaels High School, Mill Run's desperation to stay alive in the Fayette County Baseball League semifinals was eclipsed by Blue Mountain's determination to close out the series quickly.
Blue Mountain jumped on Mill Run starter Rob Egan for seven runs in the first two innings and never looked back as it cruised to a 12-5 victory and a 3-0 series sweep.
"This one kind of got away early," Mill Run manager Ray Orndorff said. "I was hoping to get two or three innings from Robbie, but we stretched him a little bit too far."
Mill Run started off well. Bobby Fulton scored on an RBI single by John Warrick in the top of the first to give the visitors their first lead of the series.
But the lead was short-lived.
In the bottom of the first, Blue Mountain (18-9-1) took control with five hits that resulted in five runs. Chuck Gasti and Aaron Thompson each connected for a two-run single that lifted the home team to a 5-1 lead. Then, in the second, Gasti was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, and Cy Mozingo followed with a walk that drove in a run to make it 7-1.
"We were hoping to get a good start, and we were able to do that," Blue Mountain manager Richard Krause said.
Mill Run (15-14-1) got a run back in the third. Fulton ripped a solo homer off Blue Mountain starter Perry Cunningham. But Blue Mountain continued to build on its lead in its half of the third as Gene Franks singled in a run off reliever Nick Lattanzo before Dan Novak doubled in another to make it 9-2.
"Give them credit," Orndorff said after watching Blue Mountain pound out 15 hits for the second straight game. "They hit the ball, and they're a good ball team."
Mill Run had a small flurry in the sixth when Fulton grounded out to force in a run before Dennis Show smacked a two-run single to make it 10-5.
"We didn't quit," Orndorff said. "We kept battling."
But Mill Run's rally fell short, and Blue Mountain eliminated any thoughts of a comeback with two runs in its half of the sixth. George Taylor singled in a run, and Zack Sally drove in another with a double to complete the scoring.
Mozingo was able to work the final inning to secure the win for Blue Mountain. Although Blue Mountain was thrilled with the sweep, it wasn't something that was expected.
"They had a couple of people out of their lineup, and that helped us," Krause said. "It's misleading because we know it wouldn't have been that easy if they had a full lineup. Mill Run plays baseball the way it is meant to be played, and we need more teams in the league like them."
Mill Run is done for this season, while Blue Mountain advances to the best-of-seven championship series against the winner of the semifinal series between Mitch's Bail Bonds and Mario's. Mario's leads the series, 2-0.
"We got real solid pitching in this series, and now we are set up for the finals," Krause said.
