Highland County Thunder 16U clinches division title in Southwest Ohio League

Highland County Thunder took on the Cinti Patriots at Lynchburg-Clay High School and walked away with a 6-5 win on a hot 99-degree day.

The Thunder jumped out in front with a 2-0 lead in the second inning, with a single by Ryan Inman, after walks by Scott Cawood and Isaiah Liggins. Zach Stacy was hit by a pitch to bring in a run. Ty Crum hit a deep sacrifice fly to bring in the second run of the inning.

In the second inning, the Thunder scored two more on walks by Chaz Lanier, Taylor Cox and Seth Meyer. Jamie Skinner popped out to second base. Inman followed with walk to load the bases, followed by a sacrifice fly to left field by Cawood, bringing the team another run for a 4-0 lead.

The Thunder gave up a run in the third inning on a hit and two errors.

Crum led the Thunder half of the third inning off with a single but was caught stealing second base. Wyatt Crothers and Lanier both followed with singles, and Cox followed with a double to drive in a run, giving the Thunder a 5-1 lead.

Meyer, the starting pitcher, left the mound in the fourth inning after giving up three runs on two hits, two walks and two errors, while striking out five in four innings.

Cawood came in to get the last out of the fourth. He allowed a run in the fifth and struck out five in three innings for the win.

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On Tuesday, the Cinti Longhorns came to Lynchburg-Clay High School to take on the Highland County Thunder for the division title, with both teams having a perfect record in the division.

The Thunder jumped to a 13-6 lead after four innings of play, scoring four runs in the first, three in the second and three runs in the fourth, while allowing two runs in the second and four in the third.

Neither team scored in the fifth or sixth innings.

The Thunder scored one in the seventh and allowed the Longhorns to score four in the seventh as the Highland County Thunder walked away with a 14-10 win for the SWOL division title.

Cox got the win, and Crothers came on to finish the game.

Leading hitters for the Thunder were Josh Bauer, who was 3-for-4 with two RBIs and two runs. Lanier was 2-for-5 with a triple and two RBIs, and Cox had one hit with a double and two RBIs.

Inman finished 1-for-3 with an RBI and three runs, while C.J. Alexander was 4-for-4 with one RBI. Crothers was 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

The Highland County Thunder finished up division play Thursday against the Cinti Vipers.

The Thunder are 13-5 overall and 7-0 in their division. They will finish their season at Shaffer Park in the Tournament of Champions in 16U play. Also, the HC Thunder 9U team will wrap up their season in the Tournament. The 9U team finished in second place in their division, their first year as a team.

If interested in joining or starting a select team for the 2013 season with Highland County Thunder, contact John Goldsberry at (937) 393-2509.