Mill Rats Coast To 14-3 Win Over West Virginia

PHOTO - Phil Andraychak

JOHNSTOWN, Pa. – Following their slim victory on Wednesday, the Johnstown Mill Rats coasted to a shortened 14-3 victory in seven innings over the West Virginia Miners on Thursday night in Prospect League action.

Despite both teams being even in hits with seven apiece, the Mill Rats capitalized on seven wild pitches and six hit batsmen by the Miners to propel themselves in front, while being helped by multiple big hits in key situations.

The Mill Rats erupted for seven runs on just three base knocks, headlined by a Justin Kapuscinski two-run home run over the left field wall. Sam Mast produced a two-run double, while Randy Carlo plated a run with a single. Matt Santarelli and JD Greeley tallied sacrifice flies to round off the scoring in the first frame.

In the second inning, Joe Alcorn had an RBI single and scored on a wild pitch, followed by Jake Casey crossing home plate on a wild pitch and Santarelli doubling home Carlo in the fourth to push the lead to 11-0.

Carlo hit a two-run single and Chase Cromer recorded an RBI knock in the fifth inning to complete Johnstown's offensive production, as the Mill Rats led 14-0.

West Virginia, after Johnstown starter Mark Edeburn was removed in the top of the seventh, scored three runs off of Mill Rats infielder Pete Capobianco to set the final. Blake Lazaris homered for the Miners.

Edeburn got the win after throwing 6 1⁄3 innings, allowing four hits and striking out 10. Carlo led the Mill Rats offensively with two hits, two runs scored and three RBIs. Santarelli, Mast and Kapuscinski all drove in two runs.

Johnstown (6-9) hosts West Virginia for the final contest of their two-game series on Friday night at 7 p.m.