Late-inning heroics continue for Tigers
Lead Summary
By
Stephen Forsha-sforsha@gmail.com
GREENFIELD - Again, for the second straight day, the McClain Tigers waited until late in the game to gain a win; this time, it was a South Central Ohio League win.
Down to their final two outs, with two runners on base, McClain senior Caleb Gregory connected on the first pitch of the at-bat to score the game-tying and game-winning runs for a 7-6 win over the London Red Raiders Friday at Mitchell Park.
McClain has won six straight games, 12 of their last 13 compleated.
McClain has won six straight games, 12 of their last 13 compleated.
The bottom of the seventh began with a triple by Logan Wise, which was hit to left-center field. With one out, Zach Uhl doubled to the center field fence, sending Wise home from third base.
The Red Raiders (9-8, 4-5) changed pitchers in the inning, but the Tigers continued to take advantage of London, with Dustin Taylor reaching on an error. Both runners scored on the aforementioned double by Gregory.
"We are finding ways to win games," MHS head coach Brandon Streitenberger said. "A lot of the kids are stepping up at critical times in the game.
"Logan did a great job with the lead off triple, and Zach followed with the double. And the hit by Caleb was another huge hit."
Though the Tigers trailed headed into the final inning, they dominated the first as they scored four runs on five hits to take an early 4-0 lead.
Wise began with a lead-off double, followed with Uhl reaching on a fielder's choice. Uhl stole second and was the first runner to cross home via an RBI single from Taylor. Wise was out at home for the Tigers' second out.
With MHS down to their final out of the inning Gregory singled, knocking the ball past the shortstop, and took second on a throw to home.
Caleb Cooper doubled to bring home Gregory. Cooper's was the last run of the inning as he scored on a single, through the middle of the infield, by Jacob Dillon.
London scored two runs in the third inning with Jake Burns and Jared Long rounding the bases. The Red Raiders tied the game in the fourth with Long and Burns scoring for the second straight inning.
LHS took their first lead with two runs in the top of the sixth. They started their pursuit for runs with a one-out walk by Burns. After a strikeout, and down to their last out, Long tripled in Burns for his third run of the game. Long scored off a base hit by James Williams.
The Tigers used three pitchers on the night with Uhl gaining the win. Uhl pitched the final 1 1-3 innings, facing four batters, allowing no hit or runs. Uhl struck out two.
Austin Wilson pitched 4 2-3 innings for MHS. Wilson faced 20 batters as he allowed four runs (none earned) on four hits and three walks.
Taylor pitched 2-3 of an inning for McClain. He struck out two batters, while allowing two runs (none earned) on one hit and one walk.
Williams suffered the loss for the Red Raiders. He faced two batters, allowing two runs on one hit.
Ben Rinehart started the game for LHS. He went 6 1-3 innings on the mound, allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks.
Wise and Gregory led MHS with two hits each. For LHS, Long was 3-for-4 with three runs and one RBI.
The win lifts the Tigers to 14-5 overall, 5-2 in the SCOL. LHS drops to 9-8 overall, 4-5 (SCOL).
MHS will play Saturday in a doubleheader as they host Eastern Brown at 12 p.m.
BOX SCORE
LHS 002 112 0 - 6
MHS 400 000 3 - 7
[[In-content Ad]]