Oscar Smith Scorekeeper Comments (via ofs10):
Hickory - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 - 3 - 2 - 0 // 6 - 6 - 1
Smith . - 0 - 0 - 1 - 0 - 0 - 0 - 1 // 2 - 5 - 4
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WP: Blake LP: Loudon
HR: Carter, Neice
For those who did not see the game in person, Hickory didn't necessarily "handle OS easily" (as was posted earlier)... the game could have been much tighter... which is a good sign for a young Smith team (1 senior).
3 freshmen & 2 sophomores in the starting lineup for Smith got over some 1st varsity game jitters today, but in the process, 2 base-running mistakes that were absolutely huge and all 4 errors directly leading to runs scored for Hickory made all of the difference.
David Loudon pitched very well for Smith early (6IP, 7H, 3 ER, 3K), surrendering only a misplayed fly-ball double through 4 innings.
The game essentially came down to 2 innings.
In the bottom of the 3rd, Smith began the inning with 2 hits; then, a base-running gaffe by one of the Smith freshmen got him caught too far from second base for out #1. Following a 3rd hit, another misread … a late read on a blocked ball, got a runner thrown out at third for out #2. The next batter strokes a base-hit & although the inning starts with 4 straight hits, there are 2 outs and only one run on the board. After a walk, the next batter grounds into a force to end the inning.
Then, with the game tied 1-1 in the top of 5th, Loudon gets the 1st batter out before an error by the SS (freshman) puts a runner on. On the very next pitch, Loudon gives up the 2-run HR to Carter. The next batter reached on an error (bobble by 1B would have been out #3); then, went to second on an errant pickoff attempt. Then, scored on triple by Tandy, making it 4-1, which was all Hickory needed.
A HR by Neice and another unearned run made it 6-1 after 6. Smith scored 1 in the bottom of the 7th to make it a 6-2 final.
Hickory:
Tandy: 1-3, 3B, RBI
Best: 2-4, 2B, R
Campbell: 0-2, BB
Blake: 0-3, RBI
Neice: 1-3, HR, RBI
Carter: 2-3, 2B, HR, R, 3 RBI
Herbst: 0-3, R
Blake: 5.1IP, 5H, 1 ER, BB, 5K
Smith:
Barnett ('15): 1-3, R
McNeil ('12): 1-3, RBI
Johnston ('13): 1-2, 2B, BB
Packert ('15): 1-3, RBI
Ennis ('14): 1-3
PERSONAL OBSERVATIONS:
* Matt Campbell made all 3 outs in the 5th... 2 of which showed why he'll be playing at UNC this fall ... they were next-level range plays.
* The fly ball hit by Campbell in the 5th WAS a ‘bomb’ (as posted earlier), but the Smith CF (freshman Daniel Barnett), who did a great job of running down fly balls today, caught that one at the fence in center (probably went 70-80 feet to grab it on the run). Just acknowledging his fielding as he collected 6 nice putouts, covering a lot of ground with no errors out there, in his first varsity action.
* Good News for Smith: 2010 2nd Team All-District 2B Stephen Lorkiewicz may return next week. He missed last 16 games of 2011 due to season-ending shoulder injury.