Lions' early start leads to league win
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
LEESBURG — Seven runs in the first inning, added with the pitching of Kyle Carson, led to the Fairfield Lions getting back on the winning side of the scoreboard, as they defeated the Manchester Greyhounds, 8-4 Wednesday at Fairfield High School in Southern Hills League play.
The Lions (11-11) end their SHL slate at 5-7 in league games.
"I told the guys in the dugout, the difference from this game to our previous game was when we did make mistakes, we didn't let them compound, and we recovered," FHS head coach Ritchie Butler said. "We didn't have any base-running miscues, and jumping out in the first inning was big for us."
Getting that win was due in large part to the aforementioned first inning as the Lions capitalized on two hits, one error by Manchester and five walks for the 7-0 lead after one complete inning.
The inning began with Cody Bennett reaching first safely on a throwing error by the pitcher on Manchester. Bennett stole second, and Blake Hildebrant walked. Bennett moved to third on a wild pitch, and Hildebrant went to second in the same sequence.
With one out, Zach Cox reached first on a fielder's choice with Bennett beating the throw to home for the first run of the game.
As Hildebrant stood at third, Joey Wilson walked, and Hildebrant scored on a wild pitch. Gage Montgomery then walked, and Ryan Bates singled to score Cox and Wilson.
With two outs, Quintin Schaffer walked, and he was followed by Chase Fulkerson forcing a walk. Bennett, at the plate again, singled to score Bates, and Fulkerson scored on a wild pitch for the 7-0 lead.
The final run by the Lions scored in the fifth inning with Bates scoring on a wild pitch. Bates took the bases after being hit by a pitch.
[[In-content Ad]]As for the Greyhounds, they scored two runs in the second and two runs in the third, totaling four runs and four hits.
The Lions ended the game with five hits and four errors with Bates finishing 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBIs.
"This was a game where it wasn't just one guy at the plate," Butler said. "To Manchester's credit, they made nice plays in hard-hit baseballs."
Earning the pitching win was Carson, who pitched all seven innings for the Lions, as he improved to 4-1 on the season, winning his last four starts. In 94 pitches, he finished by allowing four runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk. He finished with 10 strikeouts, as he has totaled 35 strikeouts on the season.
"Kyle pitched well, and this was one of his better games," Butler said. "This was just like his game against Ripley, and he pitched well there as well.
"Cody (Bennett) did well behind the plate, as he's normally our centerfielder, and Kyle is usually our starting catcher."
For Manchester, Kyle Adams, Travis Combs, Bradley Adkins and Donnie Gifford each had one hit.
FHS will play at home Thursday as they host Hillsboro in a non-league game at 5 p.m. It will be senior night for Carson, Fulkerson and Nathan Crabtree.
BOX SCORE
MHS 022 000 0 — 4 4 1
FHS 700 010 x — 8 5 4
The Lions (11-11) end their SHL slate at 5-7 in league games.
"I told the guys in the dugout, the difference from this game to our previous game was when we did make mistakes, we didn't let them compound, and we recovered," FHS head coach Ritchie Butler said. "We didn't have any base-running miscues, and jumping out in the first inning was big for us."
Getting that win was due in large part to the aforementioned first inning as the Lions capitalized on two hits, one error by Manchester and five walks for the 7-0 lead after one complete inning.
The inning began with Cody Bennett reaching first safely on a throwing error by the pitcher on Manchester. Bennett stole second, and Blake Hildebrant walked. Bennett moved to third on a wild pitch, and Hildebrant went to second in the same sequence.
With one out, Zach Cox reached first on a fielder's choice with Bennett beating the throw to home for the first run of the game.
As Hildebrant stood at third, Joey Wilson walked, and Hildebrant scored on a wild pitch. Gage Montgomery then walked, and Ryan Bates singled to score Cox and Wilson.
With two outs, Quintin Schaffer walked, and he was followed by Chase Fulkerson forcing a walk. Bennett, at the plate again, singled to score Bates, and Fulkerson scored on a wild pitch for the 7-0 lead.
The final run by the Lions scored in the fifth inning with Bates scoring on a wild pitch. Bates took the bases after being hit by a pitch.
[[In-content Ad]]As for the Greyhounds, they scored two runs in the second and two runs in the third, totaling four runs and four hits.
The Lions ended the game with five hits and four errors with Bates finishing 2-for-2 with two runs and two RBIs.
"This was a game where it wasn't just one guy at the plate," Butler said. "To Manchester's credit, they made nice plays in hard-hit baseballs."
Earning the pitching win was Carson, who pitched all seven innings for the Lions, as he improved to 4-1 on the season, winning his last four starts. In 94 pitches, he finished by allowing four runs (two earned) on four hits and one walk. He finished with 10 strikeouts, as he has totaled 35 strikeouts on the season.
"Kyle pitched well, and this was one of his better games," Butler said. "This was just like his game against Ripley, and he pitched well there as well.
"Cody (Bennett) did well behind the plate, as he's normally our centerfielder, and Kyle is usually our starting catcher."
For Manchester, Kyle Adams, Travis Combs, Bradley Adkins and Donnie Gifford each had one hit.
FHS will play at home Thursday as they host Hillsboro in a non-league game at 5 p.m. It will be senior night for Carson, Fulkerson and Nathan Crabtree.
BOX SCORE
MHS 022 000 0 — 4 4 1
FHS 700 010 x — 8 5 4