Ethan S. Smith – 07/27/24
The Johnstown Mill Rats defeated the Lafayette Aviators 6-4 at Sargent’s Stadium at The Point on Saturday, capping off their home schedule for the 2024 Prospect League season.
Johnstown got an amazing start from starting pitcher Liam Royster, who was efficient across five scoreless innings versus the Aviators offense, collecting one strikeouts while allowing just three hits.
Left-fielder Cael Magill got the scoring started for the Mill Rats in the second innings, collecting an RBI-single to score designated hitter Peyton Starr off of Lafayette starter Brayden Olson, who surrendered eight hits and four earned runs across five innings of work.
Johnstown would add runs in the third, fourth and fifth inning, with the exclamation point coming on a solo home run from first baseman Austin Stalker. Stalker ended the evening with two hits and two RBIs in four plate appearances.
Lafayette clawed back into the game in the top of the seventh in large part to a 2-run home run from third baseman Josiah Miller, followed by runs from second baseman Nate Bingman and center fielder Grant Miller to bring the game even at four runs a piece.
Johnstown answered back immediately with two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning, as shortstop Taylor Freeman and Stalker came across to give the Mill Rats a two-run advantage off Lafayette reliever Ty Bradle, who was credited with the loss.
Mill Rats reliever Mac Yarbrough shut the door on the Aviators to secure the Mill Rats victory in their final home game of the 2024 Prospect League season.
Johnstown improved to 11-12 in the 2024 Prospect League second half with the win, keeping pace for their second playoff appearance all time. The loss for Lafayette dropped the Aviators to 10-15, giving the Mill Rats a considerable advantage over their Northeast Division rivals.
The Mill Rats also finished their season with an impressive 18-10 home record overall.
Johnstown’s quest for a playoff spot comes down to their final four games in their final road trip of the regular season, as the Mill Rats face Champion City, Chillicothe and Lafayette twice to cap off the 2024 Prospect League regular season.