10-run inning blasts Tigers past Rockets
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
GREENFIELD - The McClain Tigers were scoring runs with a fury at the plate Friday at Mitchell Park. For the second time in as many days, the Tigers had a 10-run inning to earn their second win of the year, defeating the Fayetteville Rockets 15-3 in five innings.
The Tigers (2-0) led 2-0 after the first inning with runs scored by Logan Wise and Jake Dillon. To reach the bases, Wise began the game with a three-base hit and was knocked in with a run scoring double by Dillon. Zach Uhl scored Dillon with a sacrifice. Also reaching the bases in the bottom of the first was Dustin Taylor with a single.
The 10-run inning came in the bottom of the second with MHS stepping to the plate 15 times.
"We hit the ball hard and were able to get the guys on base and get them around," MHS head coach Brandon Streitenberger said. "Getting a lot of runs early tends to take pressure off our pitchers."
Caleb Gregory reached first with a single, followed with a near-perfect bunt by Jimmy Barnett. Caleb Cooper followed with a sacrifice, and Wise brought home Gregory and Barnett with a single.
Dillon had a sacrifice, moving runners over. Jon Johnson followed with a run scoring single, allowing Johnson to cross home plate. Taylor added two runs to the MHS lead with Johnson and Uhl (who forced a walk) taking the home plate. Zack Mullikin then singled for the Tigers' eighth hit of the game.
Gregory then singled in Taylor, followed with Barnett and Cooper reaching bases on a walk and error. Wise brought home runs nine and 10 with a single. Scoring on the base knock was Barnett and Cooper.
In the third MHS jumped to a 13-0 lead when Uhl scored as Dillon Carter sacrificed in the base runner for an RBI.
The final two runs by the Tigers came from Ryan Case and Johnson. Case forced a walk and Johnson singled to take first base. They were scored off a single from Austin Wilson.
At the plate, Wise was 3-for-3 with four RBIs and two runs. Dillon, Wilson and Barnett were 1-for-1. Johnson, Uhl, Taylor, Mullikin and Gregory all had two hits.
Dillon earned the win against the Rockets. He pitched three scoreless innings. He allowed no hits, runs or walks in nine batters faced. Kyle Flora pitched two innings in relief. He faced 13 batters, striking out four and walking two. He allowed three runs (one earned) on three hits.
"Jake pitched extremely well in his first start," Streitenberger said. "He hit his spots and had good command of his curve ball. Kyle also did a good job in relief. He was able to work his way out of some jams."
BOX SCORE
SCORE BY INNINGS
FHS - 000 30x x - 3
MHS - 1(10)1 2xx x - 15
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In their season opener, the McClain Tigers defeated the East Clinton Astros at ECHS.
For the Tigers, Johnson finished 3-for-5 with three RBIs. Johnson had a single, double and triple. Uhl finished 2-for-3 with three RBIs and two doubles. Taylor was 2-for-4 with three RBIs. Wise was 1-for-4 with a double and three RBIs. Gregory also tallied three RBIs.
Taylor gained the win in relief as he pitched five innings. On the mound, Taylor had six strikeouts. He allowed five runs (four earned) on five hits and four walks.
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