By Nick Brockman, Messenger Sports Reporter, nbrockman@the-messenger.com
DAWSON SPRINGS -- When Tradewater Pirates batter Matt Presley connected with Fulton pitcher Cory White's delivery in the eighth inning, there wasn't a doubt the ball would pass the right field fence line.
For a team that had lost six of its last nine games entering Saturday's matchup, a victory was not so certain, though. Fortunately, Presley's two-run blast broke a tie ballgame and Tradewater (14-10) moved on to defeat Fulton (13-10) by a score of 5-4.
The contest featured three lead changes, one tie and some unconventional scoring as three of the game's runs came on balks, but it was Presley's blast that decided the outcome.
Closer Christian Stutts did not let the game end without testing the Pirate fans' nerves. Stutts retired the first two batters, then allowed one run on three consecutive hits before shutting the door with a strikeout.
Both teams entered the eighth tied at 3-3, and Fulton appeared ready to break the tie. Leadoff hitter Tyler Monkman singled then promptly stole second base. Pirate reliever Nolan Mullaney struck out the next hitter.
Then, the Tradewater defense took over. Railroader Brian Beavin hit a sharp grounder to Cass Via at third. Via looked Monkman back to second and threw to first for the out. Monkman broke for third as Via released the ball. First baseman Brock Green fired a return throw back to Via, who tagged Monkman out to end the inning.
Via led off the bottom half of the eighth with a single to right and advanced to second on an errant pickoff attempt. With one out and extra innings approaching, Presley smacked a no-doubt home run to right field.
For a team that had lost six of its last nine games entering Saturday's matchup, a victory was not so certain, though. Fortunately, Presley's two-run blast broke a tie ballgame and Tradewater (14-10) moved on to defeat Fulton (13-10) by a score of 5-4.
The contest featured three lead changes, one tie and some unconventional scoring as three of the game's runs came on balks, but it was Presley's blast that decided the outcome.
Closer Christian Stutts did not let the game end without testing the Pirate fans' nerves. Stutts retired the first two batters, then allowed one run on three consecutive hits before shutting the door with a strikeout.
Both teams entered the eighth tied at 3-3, and Fulton appeared ready to break the tie. Leadoff hitter Tyler Monkman singled then promptly stole second base. Pirate reliever Nolan Mullaney struck out the next hitter.
Then, the Tradewater defense took over. Railroader Brian Beavin hit a sharp grounder to Cass Via at third. Via looked Monkman back to second and threw to first for the out. Monkman broke for third as Via released the ball. First baseman Brock Green fired a return throw back to Via, who tagged Monkman out to end the inning.
Via led off the bottom half of the eighth with a single to right and advanced to second on an errant pickoff attempt. With one out and extra innings approaching, Presley smacked a no-doubt home run to right field.
Tradewater struck first with one run in the first inning. Sean Flaherty singled with one out and the next batter, Matt Presley, reached on an error. Then, Brock Green delivered an RBI single to plate Flaherty.
Neither team mounted much offense in the next few innings until Fulton manufactured a three-run sixth. After a leadoff single and back-to-back sacrifice bunts, the Railroaders primed themselves ready for a large offensive.
Alan Stoupa provided the first run on an RBI single. Then, two more runs scored on balks by Tradewater starting pitcher Zac Tidholm. Futlon's Philip Dean attempted to add to the lead by scoring on a single from second base. Sean Flaherty, Tradewater's left fielder, had different plans and gunned Dean down. Catcher Miguel Vasquez applied a wonderful tag to complete the play.
The Pirates cut the advantage in half in the bottom of the sixth and did so without collecting a hit. Flaherty reached with one out on a fielding error and advanced to second on a passed ball and onto third on a ground-out.
With two outs, Green hit a dribbler to the Fulton second baseman, who bobbled the ball. Green reached first safely as Flaherty crossed the plate.
Tradewater benefitted from a run-scoring balk in the seventh as Fulton did earlier to knot the game at 3-3.
Tidholm pitched six full innings before exiting. He surrendered three runs on seven hits and struck out six. Tidholm also walked three and committed two balks.
Mullaney tossed two innings of relief and faced seven batters. He struck out four and gave up one hit.
Fulton (14-10) 000 003 000 -- 4 11 4
Tradewater (13-10) 100 001 12X -- 5 7 1
WP: Nolan Mullaney
LP: Cory White
S: Christian Stutts
Neither team mounted much offense in the next few innings until Fulton manufactured a three-run sixth. After a leadoff single and back-to-back sacrifice bunts, the Railroaders primed themselves ready for a large offensive.
Alan Stoupa provided the first run on an RBI single. Then, two more runs scored on balks by Tradewater starting pitcher Zac Tidholm. Futlon's Philip Dean attempted to add to the lead by scoring on a single from second base. Sean Flaherty, Tradewater's left fielder, had different plans and gunned Dean down. Catcher Miguel Vasquez applied a wonderful tag to complete the play.
The Pirates cut the advantage in half in the bottom of the sixth and did so without collecting a hit. Flaherty reached with one out on a fielding error and advanced to second on a passed ball and onto third on a ground-out.
With two outs, Green hit a dribbler to the Fulton second baseman, who bobbled the ball. Green reached first safely as Flaherty crossed the plate.
Tradewater benefitted from a run-scoring balk in the seventh as Fulton did earlier to knot the game at 3-3.
Tidholm pitched six full innings before exiting. He surrendered three runs on seven hits and struck out six. Tidholm also walked three and committed two balks.
Mullaney tossed two innings of relief and faced seven batters. He struck out four and gave up one hit.
Fulton (14-10) 000 003 000 -- 4 11 4
Tradewater (13-10) 100 001 12X -- 5 7 1
WP: Nolan Mullaney
LP: Cory White
S: Christian Stutts
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