FORT BRAGG — Chris Gracheff”s RBI single in the second inning and a run-scoring throwing error by Fort Bragg in the third was all the support Kris Cole needed on Tuesday to pitch Middletown past the Timberwolves, 2-1, in a North Central League I North elimination game at Fort Bragg.
With both teams entering play 4-2 and trying to remain a game back of Kelseyville in the North standings, it was Middletown (5-2 North, 16-4 overall) that eliminated Fort Bragg (5-3) from the league race. And if the Mustangs beat Kelseyville (6-1) on Friday in Kelseyville, the regular-season finale for both clubs, they”ll not only earn a co-championship but an automatic playoff berth based on a number-draw tiebreaker that was held prior to the start of the season.
If Middletown loses to Kelseyville, Middletown coach Mike Robertson still likes his chances of reaching next week”s North Coast Section Class A playoffs as an at-large team.
“I think I”m probably on the OK side of the bubble,” Robertson said of his chances of landing an at-large berth.
Gracheff”s single scored teammate Brad Finley (2-for-2) to give the Mustangs a 1-0 lead. They added another run in the second with plenty of help from the Timberwolves. With one out, Josh Gipson struck out but the catcher dropped the ball and made a wild throw to first. Gipson advanced to second on a passed ball and came all the way around to score when the next Middletown batter struck out, but once again the catcher dropped the ball and his throw to first sailed into right field for an error.
The score remained unchanged until the bottom of the seventh when the Timberwolves scored an unearned run.
Cole struck out eight and walked two. Losing pitcher Matt Lemmon also threw a gem, striking out 10 and walking one.
