LAFAYETTE, Ind. – A three-run eighth inning propelled Johnstown to its second consecutive victory as the Mill Rats defeated the Lafayette Aviators 5-4 in a Prospect League matchup on Friday night.
In the eighth, Pete Capobianco was hit by a pitch and Randy Carlo IV followed with a single to leadoff the inning. Chase Cromer then tripled down the right field line to tie the game at 4-4. After the Aviators brought in a reliever, Cromer scored on a wild pitch in what would prove to be the winning run.
The Aviators went down in order in the eighth before threatening in the ninth. A one-out double put runners at second and third for Lafayette. After Trevor Johnson flied out to center field, Mike Koszewski tried to score from third, but was thrown out at the plate to end the game.
Brennan Murphy claimed the win for the Mill Rats after throwing five scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and striking out three while not allowing a walk. Ryan Mintz took the loss for Lafayette after allowing four runs on six hits in 2 ⅔ innings.
Cromer and Randy Carlo each had two hits for the Mill Rats, with Cromer driving in two runs.
Johnstown (9-13) faces Lafayette to close out their two-game series at 7 p.m. Saturday night.
