Tigers win at Hillsboro; sweep season series
McClain's Connor Chandler throws the final pitch of the game for the final out against Hillsboro on Wednesday at HHS. Chandler was the winning pitcher, finishing with eight strikeouts. (HCP Photo/Stephen Forsha)
HILLSBORO — Runs scored in the first and third innings were the only two runs McClain needed on Wednesday as it was a defensive play — actually a double play — that set the tone for the visiting Tigers, as they defeated the Hillsboro Indians 2-1 at Hillsboro High School.
The defensive play was a double play, but not a normal double play as the Indians were threatening in the bottom of the third inning. The Indians hit the ball to left field, and on the throw back to the infield, MHS left fielder Eli Douglas threw to the shortstop, who rocketed the ball home to catcher Hunter Peabody for the first out, and from there Peabody threw the ball to third baseman Benny Vangundy to complete the 7-6-2-5 double play.
McClain (4-4, 12-7) before the double play led by a 2-0 score as they scored one run in the top of the first off a single from Kolton Lamb with the run scored by Connor Chandler for the 1-0 score. Lamb finished 1-for-3 with two RBI, a SAC fly and a steal.
The top of the third saw the Tigers take a two-run lead as Lamb hit a sacrifice fly to centerfield, plating Connor Chandler. Chandler finished the game 3-for-4, scoring two runs and collecting a steal.
Chandler was also the winning pitcher, finishing the FAC game with seven innings pitched for the complete game, where in 107 pitches (65 for strikes) he allowed one earned run on six hits and four walks with eight strikeouts.
Hillsboro (3-5, 8-9) scored their only run in the bottom of the fourth where Luke Holland singled to right field, scoring Zack Brown.
Other hitting totals for the Tigers included Peabody finishing 2-for-4, Carson Chandler at 1-for-4, Easton Ary was 1-for-3, Eli Douglas went 1-for-3, Matthew Cummins finished 1-for-3 and Brycden Whitley was 1-for-1.
HHS final hitting totals were Walker Pence (2-for-2, a steal), Jack Cornele (1-for-2), Holland (1-for-3), Brayden Oberrecht (1-for-1) and Carter Stingley (1-for-3). Brown scored the lone HHS run (plus had two steals), and Brody Kelch drew a walk.
Holland had the tough-luck loss on the mound, pitching all seven innings where he allowed just one earned run with no walks and five strikeouts.
BOX SCORE
MHS 101 000 0 — 2 11 0
HHS 000 100 0 — 1 6 1
Tigers fall to Waverly
The McClain TIgers lost at VA Memorial Stadium on Tuesday by a 5-3 score in non-conference action against the Waverly Tigers.
The loss in Chillicothe included each team scoring one run in the first inning, and Waverly taking a 2-1 lead following a run in the bottom of the third. MHS tied the score at 2-2 with a run in the top of the sixth, but Waverly responded with three runs in the bottom of the same inning.
MHS scored one final run in the top of the seventh inning.
McClain totaled eight hits and had two errors. Waverly finished with seven hits and no errors.
Carson Chandler led McClain at 3-for-4 with one RBI as one of his hits was a double.
Having one hit each were Connor Chandler (1-for-4, one run, a triple), Hunter Peabody (1-for-2, two walks), Matthew Cummins (1-for-3, one walk), Kamden Penwell (1-for-4, one RBI) and Eli Douglas (1-for-3). Kolton Lamb scored a run. Easton Ary scored a run, had a walk and was hit by a pitch. Benny Vangundy forced a walk.
Vangundy pitched six innings for the McClain Tigers, where he finished with four strikeouts.
BOX SCORE
MHS 100 001 1 — 3 8 2
WHS 101 003 x — 5 7 0