quote:
Originally posted by Diamond Stalker:
Western Branch over Hickory. 5-1
Western Branch looked like they were playing for a piece of the SED Championship.
Ryan Bennett, who pitched the complete game for WB, walked Hickory’s first batter of the game, Matt Campbell. Three batters later, Christian Lowery singled over second to bring Campbell home for Hickory’s only run of the night. WB’s first batter of the game, Garrett Brooks, also reached first (via a single), advanced to second on the perennial bunt by Kyle McPherson, and reached third on a wild pitch but was left stranded there. End of 1, Hickory 1, Western Branch 0.
In the 2nd inning, Bennett retired the Hickory batters and 2 WB batters reached (Bobby Barefoot with a single and Patrick Avery with a walk) but they were left on base. End of 2, Hickory 1, Western Branch 0.
In the 3rd inning, Campbell led off for Hickory with an infield single and stole second. However, Grant Maiorana, WB’s catcher, threw Campbell out attempting to steal third, for the 3rd out of the inning. Western Branch tied it up in the 3rd. Garrett Brooks led off with a single, stole 2nd, advanced to 3rd on a wild pitch and scored on a sac fly by Shane Johnsonbaugh. End of 3, tied at 1 each.
The 4th inning belonged to Western Branch, particularly its seniors on Senior Night. Bennett (a senior) made quick work, retiring Hickory in order with 7 pitches. On offense, Bobby Barefoot (a senior) once again led off an inning with a single. Barefoot advanced to 2nd on a pb, to 3rd on Zach Rutherford’s single and came home on Maiorana’s single. With Rutherford and Maiorana on base, both Matthew Roth and Brooks walked. Then with 2 outs and bases loaded, Shane Johnsonbaugh (a senior) hit a double bringing home Maiorana and Roth. End of 4, WB 5, Hickory 1.
In the 5th inning, Hickory showed they still had fight in them. Spencer Carter led off the inning with a single. Two batters later, with one out, Jake Tandy, batting in the 9-hole, laid down a gorgeous bunt for a single. Bennett, though, got the top two of Hickory’s order out with 3 pitches. Blake, pitching for Hickory, retired Western Branch in order, striking out 2. End of 5, WB 5, Hickory 1.
In the 6th, with 1 out, Lowery lined a single up the middle for his second hit of the evening. (The ball passed close enough by Bennett's head that he must have felt the breeze.) The next batter, though, grounded into a well-turned 5-4-3 double play. Connor Eason took the mound for Hickory (after having thrown a lot on Monday against Deep Creek). WB’s Maiorana, one of Eason’s former travel teammates, hit a long single to right center for his second hit of the game. The next batter, Matthew Roth, another of Maiorana and Eason’s former travel teammates, K’d when he bunted foul with 2 strikes. With 2 outs, and Western Branch at the top of the order, Brooks hit a slow roller towards 3rd. Tandy, playing 3rd, made a REALLY nice play to throw Brooks out at first. End of 6, WB 5, Hickory 1.
In the top of the 7th, Hickory continued to battle. With 1 out, Carter hit his 2nd single of the night, advanced to 2nd on a ground out and advanced to 3rd when Tandy reached because WB’s first baseman was ruled off the bag. After 2 balls, WB intentionally walked Campbell to load the bases and bring the tying run to the plate. With a 2-2 count, Tyler Best hit a long fly out to center field to end the game.
Hickory Hitting:
Campbell 1-2, BB, 1 run
Lowery 2-3
Zach Neice 1-3
Carter 2-3, RBI
Tandy 1-3
WB Hitting:
Brooks 2-3, 1 run, RBI, BB
Johnsonbaugh 1-2 (2B), Sac, 3 rbis
Barefoot 2-3, 1 run
Zach Rutherford 1-3, 1 run
Maiorana 2-3, run, RBI
Matthew Roth, BB, 1 run
