By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com
MORTONS GAP - Leading 5-0 after two innings of play, the Hopkins County Central baseball team appeared in clear control and ready for a run rule-shortened contest against Webster County on Monday evening.
During the next five innings, the Trojans (9-16) dashed such ideas with two separate offensive rallies while the Storm (11-8) managed just two baserunners in an eventual 6-5 Webster victory.
"We just can't ever put it on cruise control and assume the win, and I think we did that today," Central coach Lee James said. "We jumped out to a good start. We took the game plan we had against them and took it onto the field and it was successful. Then, we just didn't follow up on it."
In the first, the Storm sent nine players to the plate and recorded four runs on six hits. Senior catcher Dustin Grant brought home the game's first run on a sacrifice fly. Austin Johnston, Quentin Gordon and Tyler Harris each ripped RBI base hits in the first.
Central scored its fifth and final run in the second inning when Cody Nesmith collected an RBI single to center to score Grant, who reached via a bunt single.
Many of the Storm's hits in the first two innings came as the Central batters reached out to make contact in front of off-speed pitches from Webster starter Seth Hendrix.
"We didn't do anything miraculous that first inning or two," James said. "People were just hitting the ball where it was pitched. They hit it the way they were supposed to hit it and it was a team approach. After that, I thought we had some very selfish trips to the plate and people were trying to swing for 'me' and not for the team."
During the next five innings, the Trojans (9-16) dashed such ideas with two separate offensive rallies while the Storm (11-8) managed just two baserunners in an eventual 6-5 Webster victory.
"We just can't ever put it on cruise control and assume the win, and I think we did that today," Central coach Lee James said. "We jumped out to a good start. We took the game plan we had against them and took it onto the field and it was successful. Then, we just didn't follow up on it."
In the first, the Storm sent nine players to the plate and recorded four runs on six hits. Senior catcher Dustin Grant brought home the game's first run on a sacrifice fly. Austin Johnston, Quentin Gordon and Tyler Harris each ripped RBI base hits in the first.
Central scored its fifth and final run in the second inning when Cody Nesmith collected an RBI single to center to score Grant, who reached via a bunt single.
Many of the Storm's hits in the first two innings came as the Central batters reached out to make contact in front of off-speed pitches from Webster starter Seth Hendrix.
"We didn't do anything miraculous that first inning or two," James said. "People were just hitting the ball where it was pitched. They hit it the way they were supposed to hit it and it was a team approach. After that, I thought we had some very selfish trips to the plate and people were trying to swing for 'me' and not for the team."
The Trojans tagged Central starter Ethan Smith for two runs in the third inning. Each of the first two hitters reached base for Webster. Then, Nick Kinser plated a run with a ground-out and Trevor Shoulders followed with an RBI infield single.
Smith allowed the leadoff hitter to reach in both the fourth and fifth, but it wasn't until the sixth that the Trojans mounted any more production.
With one out, Webster recorded four straight hits to tie the game. Trevor Warren's three-run, stand-up triple knotted the squads at 5-5. Next up, Ridge Brown bluffed a bunt attempt. Grant caught the pitch and attempted a pick-off throw to third, but the ball sailed into left field to give the Trojans a one-run advantage.
Smith beared down to get the next two batters, but Central could not manufacture any further offense to overcome its deficit.
"We just put it on the back burner for a while and I guess we thought we could cruise to a 5-2 win," James said. "They came fighting back and when they did, we weren't mentally in a position to answer."
Despite the loss, James said he's confident his team has the tools to be successful in next week's district tournament.
"I think we're ready and hitting our stride at the right time of the season," he said. "It's hard to say that after you just took one on the chin today, but as far as the team is playing, I don't have any major concerns. I feel like we're ready for postseason."
Offensively, Nesmith recorded the lone multi-hit game for the Storm with a 2-for-3 night. For Webster, Zach Collinsworth and Jered Collins combined to go 5-for-6.
On the mound, Smith struck out five and surrendered six runs on nine hits. Hendrix allowed five runs and eight hits - none after the second. He also struck out four.
Central returns to the field at 5 p.m. today to play host to University Heights Academy.
Webster (9-16) 002 004 0 - 6 9 2
Central (11-8) 410 000 0 - 5 8 1
WP: Seth Hendrix
LP: Ethan Smith
Smith allowed the leadoff hitter to reach in both the fourth and fifth, but it wasn't until the sixth that the Trojans mounted any more production.
With one out, Webster recorded four straight hits to tie the game. Trevor Warren's three-run, stand-up triple knotted the squads at 5-5. Next up, Ridge Brown bluffed a bunt attempt. Grant caught the pitch and attempted a pick-off throw to third, but the ball sailed into left field to give the Trojans a one-run advantage.
Smith beared down to get the next two batters, but Central could not manufacture any further offense to overcome its deficit.
"We just put it on the back burner for a while and I guess we thought we could cruise to a 5-2 win," James said. "They came fighting back and when they did, we weren't mentally in a position to answer."
Despite the loss, James said he's confident his team has the tools to be successful in next week's district tournament.
"I think we're ready and hitting our stride at the right time of the season," he said. "It's hard to say that after you just took one on the chin today, but as far as the team is playing, I don't have any major concerns. I feel like we're ready for postseason."
Offensively, Nesmith recorded the lone multi-hit game for the Storm with a 2-for-3 night. For Webster, Zach Collinsworth and Jered Collins combined to go 5-for-6.
On the mound, Smith struck out five and surrendered six runs on nine hits. Hendrix allowed five runs and eight hits - none after the second. He also struck out four.
Central returns to the field at 5 p.m. today to play host to University Heights Academy.
Webster (9-16) 002 004 0 - 6 9 2
Central (11-8) 410 000 0 - 5 8 1
WP: Seth Hendrix
LP: Ethan Smith
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