Lions fight off errors, defeat Rockets in extra innings
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
LEESBURG — After miscues in the field allowed the Fayetteville Rockets to take the lead in the top of the seventh inning, the Fairfield Lions scored one run to tie the game and won the game off a base hit by Bobby Wilson to gain a 12-11 Southern Hills League win Thursday.
Needing just three outs in the top part of the seventh to seal the win, the Lions (9-9, 7-5) committed four errors, while Fayetteville blasted four runs in the inning to take a one-run lead. For the game FHS committed eight errors, seven in the final two innings.
But the Lions didn't fold, but played their cards just right by tying the game in their half of the seventh.
Wilson started off the inning with a walk, followed with Tyler Campbell reaching first as he was hit by a pitch. Nathaniel Miller hit into a fielder's choice to give FHS runners at first and third. Dakota Hargrave hit into another fielder's choice, allowing Wilson to cross home plate, sending the game into extra innings.
In the bottom of the eighth, Michael Carson reached first on a hit by pitch, with one out. Ian Adams singled, and followed the hit by stealing second and third bases.
Adams scored the game-winning run on a base hit by Wilson for the SHL win.
The win sets up a championship match-up with the Whiteoak Wildcats Friday, as each team has seven wins in the league.
The Rockets started the game with a three-run first inning, but the Lions came back with two runs in their half of the first.
Adams hit a single and was followed up by Wilson reaching on an error. Campbell singled, and Miller singled in both Adams and Wilson.
After two more runs were scored by Fayetteville in the top of the third, the Lions roared back with a four-run fourth to take a 6-5 lead.
With one out, Sammy Williams doubled, followed with a single by Adams and walk from Wilson.
Campbell reached on a fielder's choice as Williams beat out the throw to home for the inning's first run.
Miller singled, and added two more RBIs in the same fashion by scoring Adams and Wilson.
Down to their last out Cody Tolle singled, scoring Campbell.
After the game was tied at sixth with a run by Fayetteville in the fifth, the Lions added another four runs in their part of the sixth.
Campbell began the inning with a two-base hit and was followed with a two-run home run to deep center field by Miller.
Hargrave reached the bases and was scored off a double from Kyle Carson. Chase Fulkerson came in as a runner for Carson and scored off a single from Austin Hildebrant.
The winning pitcher was Campbell. He went five innings in relief, allowing six runs (one earned) on six hits and no walks. Campbell struck out five batters.
Kyle Carson began the day on the mound. He went three innings, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits and two walks. He finished with one strikeout.
Miller led the Lions at the plate with a 3-for-4 performance and six RBIs.
The win moves FHS to 9-9 overall, 7-6 in the SHL.
BOX SCORE
FAY 302 010 50 - 11 11 2
FHS 200 404 11 - 12 16 8
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