Tigers score late runs for extra inning win
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
GREENFIELD - To say the McClain Tigers keep games interesting is an understatement. As of late, the Tigers have waited until the late innings to push ahead of their opponents, and Thursday night was no different.
MHS (13-5) trailed for a majority of the game, finishing with just three hits, but played sound defense which backed up two strong pitching performances and capitalized on Wilmington errors to defeat the Hurricane 3-2 in eight innings at Mitchell Park.
With the Hurricane leading 2-1 when the bottom of the eighth began, the Tigers provided their second rally of the game.
Before the Tigers' rally, the Hurricane regained the lead with a two-out run scored by Cody Shaver. Shaver, who reached the bases with a double, scored on a single by Heath Blandford.
The Tiger eighth began with two quick outs via ground out and a fly ball caught by the right fielder.
Jimmy Barnett started the rally with a double to the corner of right field, on a 3-2 count.
Again, the Tigers were down to their final strike when Austin Wilson forced a walk on a full count. Logan Wise kept the inning alive with a four-pitch walk, loading the bases for McClain.
Then Zack Mullikin stepped into the batters box and was quickly down 0-2. With the count at 1-2, Mullikin slapped the ball toward the second baseman, which rolled between his legs, allowing Barnett and Wilson to round the bases and score the game-winning runs.
"We didn't hit really well, but Zack fouled off pitches and put the ball into play. It is tough for any team to lose that way," MHS head coach Brandon Streitenberger said.
The Tigers' pitching kept them within striking distance of the Hurricane for all eight innings.
Freshman Kyle Flora went six innings on the mound for McClain. In the first three innings, Flora struck out seven batters, three straight in the second inning. Even though Flora had a no decision, he finished with eight strikeouts while allowing one earned run on six hits and two walks.
The win was credited to Zach Uhl. Uhl pitched two innings, finishing with two strikeouts. He allowed four hits, one walk and one unearned run.
"Our pitching was good enough to keep us in the game," Streitenberger said. "Kyle (Flora) did a great job, and for a freshman, when he steps on the mound the game is his. He pitches with a lot of confidence.
"Zach (Uhl) came in and did a nice job getting key outs when we needed them."
The Hurricane (5-11) began the game with a lead-off infield single from Nick Eden. Eden stole second and scored on a double down the third base line by Brady Camp. Flora finished the inning strong by striking out the final two batters.
MHS threatened to tie the game in the bottom of the third with Mullikin and Uhl forcing walks. Dustin Taylor reached on an error to load the bases, but the Hurricane perfected a 6-3 double play to end the inning as Cody Arehart tagged second and threw to first baseman Dillan Day for the final out of the inning.
What turned out to be a game-saving play happened in the top of the fourth with Caleb Cooper tagging out a runner at home to save a run, keeping MHS within one run of tying the game.
Another potential game-saving play by the Tiger defense came in the top of the sixth with a 6-4-3 double play.
McClain tied the game in the bottom of the seventh.
Wise reached the bases with a one-out hit by pitch. He took second on a failed pick-off attempt. Mullikin forced his third walk of the game, giving MHS runners at first and second. Uhl reached on an outfield error, loading the bases with one out. The tying run came with a sacrifice fly to center field by Dustin Taylor to score Wise.
The loss on the mound was charged to Kyle Miller. Miller pitched 3 2-3 innings allowing three runs (none earned) on one hit and three walks. He struck out three.
Caleb Mitchener started the game for the Hurricane. He pitched 4 1-3 innings, allowing no runs on two hits and six walks. He finished with two strikeouts.
For the game MHS left 10 runners stranded, eight in the first six innings.
"This was a good win for us," Streitenberger said. "Also Tyler Neville did a great job at third base tonight. He was solid and made every play that came his way. Our defense kept us in the game."
The win lifts MHS to 13-5 overall. Wilmington falls to 5-11.
MHS is scheduled to play the Miami Trace Panthers Friday at Mitchell Park in Greenfield at 5 p.m. in SCOL play.
BOX SCORE
WHS 100 000 10 - 2 10 3
MHS 000 000 12 - 3 3 2
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