Who gets the win, is there a save?

My understanding is that it is a coaches decision when the starting pitcher fails to go 4 and when the starting pitcher leaves with a lead that is never given up.

I would give the win to pitcher 1 as he was the most effective - but as I said - it is the coaches decision - and he can give it to the starting pitcher.

No save for pitcher 3 as the potential tying run was not on deck when he entered the game and he did not pitch 3 innings.

08

I would score it as a win to the 1st pitcher because the lead was never lost. (This could be subjective though to the coach who may decide to give the win to pitcher #2 because the other team scored 9 runs which is what your team had scored when #1 left. Lead not held, win could go to #2).

As far as a save is concerned pitcher 3 gets it. This is because the run that scored to make the score 13 - 10 is charged to pitcher #2. There is now a three run differential that pitcher #3 holds (even though score ends up 13 -12) and he holds it for at least 1/3 of an inning.

No save for pitcher 3 as the potential tying run was not on deck when he entered the game and he did not pitch 3 innings.

08[/QUOTE]
08Dad - just wondering why you believe that a save can only be credited by pitching 3 innings? Anytime a pitcher holds a close lead he only needs to pitch 1/3 of an inning to get credit for the save.

To get a save the pitcher must meet all three of the following criteria:

1) Final pitcher of the game which his team wins

2) Not the winning pitcher (you can't have both a win and a save in the same game

3) One of the following:

3A) Enters the game with no more than a 3 run lead and pitches for at least 1 inning

3B) Enters the game with potential tying run either on base, at bat or on deck

3C) Pitches effectively the last 3 innings.

In this scenario, he meets 1 and 2 (not the winning pitcher and did finish the game but does not meet criteria 3:

3a) 4 run lead when he entered
3b) Tying run was not on deck, or at bat or on base
3c) Pitched only 2 1/3

So I would not award a save...

08

Under NFHS rules, there is no discretion in awarding the win. A starter who does not go 4 innings simply does not qualify. In this example, pitcher 2 gets the W.

NCAA has a rule that permits pitcher 1 to get the win if the coaches agreed prior to first pitch that outings would be short due to early season, rehab assignment, etc. There is no parallel rule in NFHS.

In fact, NFHS makes no exception even for games shortened by slaughter rule. But many of your friendly scorekeepers will make an exception in slaughter games, and as far as I know nobody stops them.