Wildcats fend-off Green Devils in 8 innings
Lead Summary
By
The Highland County Press-
SEAMAN — This time of the year every win is important and tough to accomplish no matter the opponent, and the Whiteoak Wildcats found that out on Friday night. The first-place Wildcats held on for a 2-1, eight inning Southern Hills League win over the two-win North Adams Green Devils at NAHS.
WHS, who are tied for first place in Division II of the SHL, loaded the bases in the first inning, but managed to score just one run. The Wildcats wouldn't score again until the top of the eighth, when Luke Taggert perfected a squeeze bunt, scoring Gage Carraher from third base, who reached on an error.
"Luke was the difference Friday," WHS head coach Chris Veidt said. "He was in control on the mound, and his perfectly executed squeeze in eighth won it."
The Green Devils' (2-8, 2-13) one run came in the sixth inning, making it at the time a 1-1 score. NA had runners on second and third with one out, but following their lone run scoring and with those base runners, Taggert responded by striking out the next two batters to end the inning.
NA threatened in the eighth as their leadoff hitter reached the bases on a single to left field. Taggert was clutch once again, as he picked off the runner at first.
Taggert finished with the win on the mound, improving his season record to 4-1. In the eight innings pitched, he allowed one earned run on four hits and three walks. He struck out 13.
"Luke was simply outstanding," Veidt said, "He wasn't going to be denied."
[[In-content Ad]]At the plate, senior Michael Smith continued his hot-streak for the Wildcats, as he had two hits, finishing 2-for-4 with one run.
"Michael is swinging the bat well for us," Veidt said.
Also gaining hits for WHS were Carraher with a RBI single, as he batted in Smith in the first inning. Jesse Bradds also collected with a double, and Taggert was 1-for-2.
The loss was charged to North Adams' Hank Sparks. Sparks also pitched eight innings, allowing two runs (none earned) on five hits and one walk; along with tallying nine strikeouts.
"The lefty for North Adams was outstanding," Veidt said. "He threw strikes and changed speeds well. It was just a classic pitchers duel.
"We just made fewer mistakes and executed well offensively and defensively in clutch, pressure-packed situations. The higher the stakes, the better we are as a team."
WHS will play again on Monday as they will play in a non-league game against Peebles at Wilmington College.
BOX SCORE
WHS 100 000 01 — 2
NA 000 001 00 — 1
WHS, who are tied for first place in Division II of the SHL, loaded the bases in the first inning, but managed to score just one run. The Wildcats wouldn't score again until the top of the eighth, when Luke Taggert perfected a squeeze bunt, scoring Gage Carraher from third base, who reached on an error.
"Luke was the difference Friday," WHS head coach Chris Veidt said. "He was in control on the mound, and his perfectly executed squeeze in eighth won it."
The Green Devils' (2-8, 2-13) one run came in the sixth inning, making it at the time a 1-1 score. NA had runners on second and third with one out, but following their lone run scoring and with those base runners, Taggert responded by striking out the next two batters to end the inning.
NA threatened in the eighth as their leadoff hitter reached the bases on a single to left field. Taggert was clutch once again, as he picked off the runner at first.
Taggert finished with the win on the mound, improving his season record to 4-1. In the eight innings pitched, he allowed one earned run on four hits and three walks. He struck out 13.
"Luke was simply outstanding," Veidt said, "He wasn't going to be denied."
[[In-content Ad]]At the plate, senior Michael Smith continued his hot-streak for the Wildcats, as he had two hits, finishing 2-for-4 with one run.
"Michael is swinging the bat well for us," Veidt said.
Also gaining hits for WHS were Carraher with a RBI single, as he batted in Smith in the first inning. Jesse Bradds also collected with a double, and Taggert was 1-for-2.
The loss was charged to North Adams' Hank Sparks. Sparks also pitched eight innings, allowing two runs (none earned) on five hits and one walk; along with tallying nine strikeouts.
"The lefty for North Adams was outstanding," Veidt said. "He threw strikes and changed speeds well. It was just a classic pitchers duel.
"We just made fewer mistakes and executed well offensively and defensively in clutch, pressure-packed situations. The higher the stakes, the better we are as a team."
WHS will play again on Monday as they will play in a non-league game against Peebles at Wilmington College.
BOX SCORE
WHS 100 000 01 — 2
NA 000 001 00 — 1