Indians Walk(er)-off win in 9th inning against Tigers
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
HILLSBORO — A pitching battle between two of the top pitchers was a draw, and though it took extra innings, Hillsboro senior Corey Walker came up with a clutch single out of reach of the second baseman, allowing the Indians to defeat Highland County rival McClain, 3-2 in nine innings Friday at Shaffer Park.
Not only was it a win for bragging rights in the county, but a win in South Central Ohio League play, keeping the Indians (7-2, 10-7) in second place, one game behind the London Red Raiders in the standings, as those two teams will face each other next week.
As for what occurred on Friday, the Indians were the ones who came up with big plays when it mattered most, whether it was Paul Snyder's two-run, game-tying home run in the bottom of the fifth, the Indians getting a third out on an attempted squeeze at the plate by McClain in the top of the eighth or Brandon Carter, in as a pinch runner for Kyler White, scoring the game-winning run on the walk-off single by Walker, as Walker finished the day 2-for-5 at the plate.
Not to mention the Indians' defense, as starting pitcher Tyler Griego worked out of a couple jams in the game, including Griego striking out the third batter looking in the top of the sixth after he walked the bases loaded with two outs.
All-in-all, according to HHS head coach Tim Hunt, it was the Indians' most complete game of the season.
"This was the our most complete game of the season," Hunt said. "One play that stands out with our defense was Dave Williams' running catch he made in left-centerfield.
"That squeeze play worked out perfect for us. We've practiced that situation all season, and it was nice for the kids to see that work pay off. Brandon (Wilson) did a good job of blocking the plate, and Corey made a nice throw for the out."
The first two runs of the game belonged to the Tigers as they led 2-0 through four innings, with their runs coming in the top of the second and third innings.
Their first run scored was by Jordan Boles, who reached first base on a two-out single. He stole second and third bases and scored on a throw to second base by the catcher, allowing Boles to take off from third base, sliding feet-first home for the run.
McClain (4-4, 7-12) took a two-run lead when Brent Shannon, who walked, moved to second base on an error and to third base on a stolen base. Shannon scored on a error by the catcher.
HHS scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth on the aforementioned home run by Snyder (one a 3-1 count), who turned the fastball around and over the left field fence with one out. His home run also scored Wilson, who reached the bases on a base hit.
[[In-content Ad]]"Paul's home run was big," Hunt said. "He's not been struggling at the plate, but he's had to get used to seeing more outside pitchers and more breaking pitches this season. Paul's home run was not only great for our team confidence, but for Paul's confidence."
Also gaining hits for HHS throughout the game were Seth Meyer in the second inning with a double, and Chase Gilliland, who was 2-for-3 with one walk. Trey Moberly forced two walks, as did White. Forcing walks for the Tigers were Shannon, Ryan Case, Boles, Rayburn, Kyle Flora and Ryan Duff.
The winning pitcher was Walker, who pitched two innings of relief for the Indians. The loss was charged to Flora, who pitched the ninth inning of relief for the Tigers. Walker pitched the final two innings, allowing no runs on no hits with one hit batter. He struck out one. Flora pitched in the ninth inning, allowing one run (one earned) on one hit and one walk to the three batters he faced.
Starting the game on the mound for Hillsboro was Griego, and starting for the Tigers was Case. Griego pitched seven innings, allowing two runs (none earned) on two hits and five walks as he struck out eight batters. Case, who also had a non-decision, pitched eight innings, allowing two runs (two earned) on six hits and four walks. He struck out three.
"This was a great pitching battle between two of the better pitchers in the SCOL," Brandon Streitenberger said. "Snyder is one of the best hitters in the league, and he showed that (Friday) with the home run. They (HHS) got us on the squeeze attempt.
"Seems like every time we play them, it's a tough game, and this was no different. We stranded too many runners, and that's a credit to the Hillsboro pitching. Our team is starting to show improvement … we are getting better every day."
Both McClain and Hillsboro are scheduled to host doubleheaders on Saturday with MHS hosting both Western Brown and Fairborn. HHS is scheduled to host Batavia. Both doubleheaders are non-league games.
BOX SCORE
MHS 011 000 000 — 2 2 4
HHS 000 020 001 — 3 7 2
Not only was it a win for bragging rights in the county, but a win in South Central Ohio League play, keeping the Indians (7-2, 10-7) in second place, one game behind the London Red Raiders in the standings, as those two teams will face each other next week.
As for what occurred on Friday, the Indians were the ones who came up with big plays when it mattered most, whether it was Paul Snyder's two-run, game-tying home run in the bottom of the fifth, the Indians getting a third out on an attempted squeeze at the plate by McClain in the top of the eighth or Brandon Carter, in as a pinch runner for Kyler White, scoring the game-winning run on the walk-off single by Walker, as Walker finished the day 2-for-5 at the plate.
Not to mention the Indians' defense, as starting pitcher Tyler Griego worked out of a couple jams in the game, including Griego striking out the third batter looking in the top of the sixth after he walked the bases loaded with two outs.
All-in-all, according to HHS head coach Tim Hunt, it was the Indians' most complete game of the season.
"This was the our most complete game of the season," Hunt said. "One play that stands out with our defense was Dave Williams' running catch he made in left-centerfield.
"That squeeze play worked out perfect for us. We've practiced that situation all season, and it was nice for the kids to see that work pay off. Brandon (Wilson) did a good job of blocking the plate, and Corey made a nice throw for the out."
The first two runs of the game belonged to the Tigers as they led 2-0 through four innings, with their runs coming in the top of the second and third innings.
Their first run scored was by Jordan Boles, who reached first base on a two-out single. He stole second and third bases and scored on a throw to second base by the catcher, allowing Boles to take off from third base, sliding feet-first home for the run.
McClain (4-4, 7-12) took a two-run lead when Brent Shannon, who walked, moved to second base on an error and to third base on a stolen base. Shannon scored on a error by the catcher.
HHS scored two runs in the bottom of the fifth on the aforementioned home run by Snyder (one a 3-1 count), who turned the fastball around and over the left field fence with one out. His home run also scored Wilson, who reached the bases on a base hit.
[[In-content Ad]]"Paul's home run was big," Hunt said. "He's not been struggling at the plate, but he's had to get used to seeing more outside pitchers and more breaking pitches this season. Paul's home run was not only great for our team confidence, but for Paul's confidence."
Also gaining hits for HHS throughout the game were Seth Meyer in the second inning with a double, and Chase Gilliland, who was 2-for-3 with one walk. Trey Moberly forced two walks, as did White. Forcing walks for the Tigers were Shannon, Ryan Case, Boles, Rayburn, Kyle Flora and Ryan Duff.
The winning pitcher was Walker, who pitched two innings of relief for the Indians. The loss was charged to Flora, who pitched the ninth inning of relief for the Tigers. Walker pitched the final two innings, allowing no runs on no hits with one hit batter. He struck out one. Flora pitched in the ninth inning, allowing one run (one earned) on one hit and one walk to the three batters he faced.
Starting the game on the mound for Hillsboro was Griego, and starting for the Tigers was Case. Griego pitched seven innings, allowing two runs (none earned) on two hits and five walks as he struck out eight batters. Case, who also had a non-decision, pitched eight innings, allowing two runs (two earned) on six hits and four walks. He struck out three.
"This was a great pitching battle between two of the better pitchers in the SCOL," Brandon Streitenberger said. "Snyder is one of the best hitters in the league, and he showed that (Friday) with the home run. They (HHS) got us on the squeeze attempt.
"Seems like every time we play them, it's a tough game, and this was no different. We stranded too many runners, and that's a credit to the Hillsboro pitching. Our team is starting to show improvement … we are getting better every day."
Both McClain and Hillsboro are scheduled to host doubleheaders on Saturday with MHS hosting both Western Brown and Fairborn. HHS is scheduled to host Batavia. Both doubleheaders are non-league games.
BOX SCORE
MHS 011 000 000 — 2 2 4
HHS 000 020 001 — 3 7 2