7/18/2025
By George Lucas
The Johnstown Mill Rats split a double-header with the Lafayette Aviators Thursday at Sargent’s Stadium at The Point.
In game one, Lafayette plated single runs in the fourth, fifth, and seventh innings to take the contest 3-0. The Mill Rats managed only five singles in the game while leaving seven runners on base.
Starting pitcher Mark Wechtenhiser gave up two runs on five Aviators’ hits and fell to 0-4 on the season.
In game two, Lafeyette once again took the early 1-0 lead with a first inning tally. The Mill Rats tied the game at 1-1 in the fourth on a Wilder Puertas solo blast, his first of the season.
The tie did not last long as Lafayette scored a pair in the fifth to regain the lead 3-1.
The Mill Rats grabbed their first lead of the game at 4-3 by bringing home three runs in the bottom of the sixth. Once again Lafayette answered and tied the game at 4-all on a bases-loaded two-out walk in the seventh.
The game went into extra innings and the Mill Rats walked-off the Aviators on an RBI single by Garrett Pancione that drove in ghost-runner Brennon Seigler with the game-winning run that set the final at 5-4.
Reliever Mark Luke notched his first win as a Mill Rat pitching one-inning of relief.
Johnstown moves to 5-10 in the second half with the win but remains in fourth place in the Northeast Division.
Lafayette, still atop the Northeast, is at 11-6 after the split.
The four game series between the two teams concludes Friday at 7:00pm at Sargent’s Stadium at The Point.