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Lions top McClain, SE in Saturday doubleheader

Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
LEESBURG — It was a Highland County showdown early Saturday morning at the home of the Fairfield Lions, and for the majority of the game, it was all controlled by the host Lions.
 
Fairfield used aggressive base running, along with very timely hitting, for a six-inning, 13-2 win over the McClain Tigers.
 
For the day, the Lions totaled 28 hits, with 13 against McClain and 15 against Southeastern as FHS defeated SE, 13-11.
 
"We were aggressive, hit the ball well, took pitches and went deep into the count," FHS head coach Ritchie Butler said. "When you do that, you can be aggressive.
 
"Our defense didn't play bad … it was one of our better defensive games (vs. MHS) of the season."
 
The Lions set the tone for their day in the first game against McClain. Against the Tigers, the aggressive base running and hitting by the Lions allowed them to score three runs in the bottom of the first, along with a two-run second for a 5-1 lead after two innings.
 
"We just didn't hit the ball hard," MHS head coach Brandon Streitenberger said. "We are thin on pitching right now with all the games, but we really struggled to find the strike zone."
 
In those two innings, FHS got on base with a leadoff walk by Cody Bennett, and he moved to second on a base hit by Blake Hildebrant. Both runners scored on a single by Kyle Carson, as Carson took second base on the throw to home.
 
Carson wrapped up the game with MHS with a 2-for-4 day at the plate, with three runs and four RBIs.
 
"I was pleased top-to-bottom with the lineup," Butler said. "Everyone hit the ball well and hit it hard. This was the best all-around game we had so far this season."
 
The third run of the first scored on a one-out single to left-centerfield by Joey Wilson, scoring Carson.
 
Bennett finished 1-for-1 with two runs, two RBIs and three walks. Hildebrant was 3-for-4 with three runs and one RBI. Wilson went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and one walk.
 
The Tigers responded with one run in the second with Cameron Spangler forcing a four-pitch walk with one out. He scored after moving to second on a single by Ryan Case and to third on a sacrifice bunt by Kyle Flora. His run came on an infield error, as Trevor Gossett reached first.
 
In their half of the second, the Lions roared back with two more runs with Chase Fulkerson singling to left field on a line drive, and he moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by Bennett. Fulkerson moved to third on a single by Hildebrant and scored on a ground out by Carson. Hildebrant scored on a wild pitch with two outs.
 
Leading 5-1 headed into their half of the fourth, the Lions added two more runs to their overall totals, with Cody Bennett drawing a lead-off walk. After stealing second base and with one out, Bennett scored on a base hit to centerfield. Carson scored on a base hit to shallow centerfield by Wilson.
 
Fairfield added three more runs in the bottom of the fifth with Nathan Crabtree leading off the inning with a base hit through the middle of the infield. Crabtree was forced out at second on a fielder's choice that left Fulkerson on first base.
 
After Fulkerson stole second and Bennett walked, Hildebrant singled to left field to plate Fulkerson. Also scoring in the inning were Hildebrant and Carson, as they were knocked in via a two-out single to right field by Zach Cox.
 
The Tigers trailed 10-1 at the top of the sixth but ended their half of the inning with another run when Rayburn scored on a base hit to shallow centerfield by Zack Rumor with two outs.
 
MHS finished with four hits with Ryan Duff going 2-for-3, along with hits by Rumor and Case.
 
FHS finished off the game with three runs in the sixth from Ryan Bates and Crabtree. Bates scored off a double by Fulkerson. The final two runs came with a single by Bennett, scoring Crabtree and Fulkerson.
 
The win on the hill was credited to Dylan Rhode. Rhode pitched the complete game, going six innings. In those innings, he allowed two runs (none earned) on four hits and four walks. Rhode finished with four strikeouts.
 
"Dylan was spot-on all day," Butler said. "He mixed up his speed and kept (McClain) off-balanced."
 
The loss went to Zack Puckett. Puckett pitched four innings, allowing six earned runs. Also pitching for MHS were Rayburn with three earned runs in one inning of relief. Brent Shannon pitched 1 1-3 innings of relief, allowing three earned runs.
 
In their second game of the day, the Lions defeated SE, 13-11.
 
The win went to Wyatt Crothers. Crothers pitched three innings, allowing eight runs (seven runs) on four hits and seven walks. Crothers struck out five.
 
Isaiah Liggins earned the save. Liggins pitched four innings, allowing three runs (one earned) on four hits and no walks. Liggins struck out three.
 
At the plate, FHS was led by CJ Alexander (3-for-3), Carson (3-for-5) and Wilson (3-for-4). Alexander scored two runs, along with one RBI and one walk. Carson totaled four RBIs and one run, and Wilson had three RBIs and one run.
 
Also for FHS at the plate, Hildebrant was 2-for-5 with three runs; Montgomery (1-for-2) with a double and one run; Sammy Williams (2-for-3) one run and one RBI; and Cox (1-for-3) with one RBI.
 
The Lions will play again on Monday when they travel to Chillicothe to play at the VA Memorial Stadium when they take on the North Adams Green Devils at 5 p.m.
 
The Tigers will play on Monday in a South Central Ohio League contest against the Hillsboro Indians at 5 p.m. at Mitchell Park in Greenfield.
 
BOX SCORE
FHS vs. MHS
MHS 010 001 — 2 4 1
FHS 320 233 — 13 13 2
 
BOX SCORE
FHS vs. SE
SE 341 000 3 — 11 8 5
FHS 513 121 0 — 13 15 3[[In-content Ad]]

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