Wildcats win in extra innings against Warriors
Lead Summary
By
The Highland County Press-
SARDINA — It took two extra innings, but none of that mattered to the Whiteoak Wildcats on Tuesday, as they returned to Mowrystown with a Southern Hills League win, defeating the Eastern Brown Warriors, 11-8.
For two innings, the game was scoreless. In the third, the Wildcats scored two runs, but the Warriors scored six in their half of the third, for a 6-2 lead by EB.
WHS responded with a four-run in the fourth, and EB added one run in the same inning.
The Wildcats scored twice in the fifth inning, taking an 8-7 advantage. The Warriors tied the game at eight in bottom of the seventh, forcing extra innings, where in the ninth the Wildcats broke the tied score with three runs.
"This was a team win. We used 13 players, and they all contributed," WHS head coach Chris Veidt said. "I can't say enough about our bench this season. They stay in games and are always ready when called upon.
"Nate Hauke, David Deer, Todd Ridener, Justin Emery, Tyler Roberts and Blake Trueblood all played key roles off the bench. Like we tell them, we don't put them in to give them time, we put them in in clutch situations to win games."
The win on the mound went to Gage Carraher, who pitched three innings of relief. Carraher (2-0) allowed no runs on one hit and no walks. He struck out four strikeouts.
Luke Taggert started the game for WHS, pitching 2 1-3 innings and allowing six runs (none earned) on three hits and two walks. Taggert struck out three. Zach Docter pitched 3 2-3 innings of relief and allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and one walk, while striking out four.
"Our pitching depth was key as well," Veidt said. "I cannot say enough about our kids' resiliency and ability to keep fighting back. We would not be denied (Tuesday).
"We fought through a very uncharacteristically poor defensive third inning and won this game with pitching depth, clutch hitting and a strong bench."
At the plate for the Wildcats, Jesse Bradds led at 3-for-5 with six RBIs.
"Jesse has had some nice games for us in three years, but this was perhaps his best," Veidt said. "He had three hits and six clutch RBIs. He also threw the potential winning run out at second base trying to steal in the seventh."
Michael Smith, Docter, Taggert and Tyler Williams each had two hits. Smith scored three runs, while Docter scored four runs and one RBI. Taggert scored two runs and had one RBI. Emery was 1-for-1 with a double.
The Wildcats scored eight runs with two outs.
"These kids are fighters. That's what baseball is all about … playing every pitch and handling adversity," Veidt said. "Rivalry wins are always nice, but an extra-innings win is even sweeter."
WHS will play again on Thursday as they host the Fairfield Lions in an SHL matchup. Also on Thursday, the Wildcats will have a number retirement ceremony for former standout players Kip Young (21) and Ryan Barnett (14) before the 5 p.m. first-pitch.
BOX SCORE
WHS 002 420 003 — 11
EB 006 100 100 — 8[[In-content Ad]]
For two innings, the game was scoreless. In the third, the Wildcats scored two runs, but the Warriors scored six in their half of the third, for a 6-2 lead by EB.
WHS responded with a four-run in the fourth, and EB added one run in the same inning.
The Wildcats scored twice in the fifth inning, taking an 8-7 advantage. The Warriors tied the game at eight in bottom of the seventh, forcing extra innings, where in the ninth the Wildcats broke the tied score with three runs.
"This was a team win. We used 13 players, and they all contributed," WHS head coach Chris Veidt said. "I can't say enough about our bench this season. They stay in games and are always ready when called upon.
"Nate Hauke, David Deer, Todd Ridener, Justin Emery, Tyler Roberts and Blake Trueblood all played key roles off the bench. Like we tell them, we don't put them in to give them time, we put them in in clutch situations to win games."
The win on the mound went to Gage Carraher, who pitched three innings of relief. Carraher (2-0) allowed no runs on one hit and no walks. He struck out four strikeouts.
Luke Taggert started the game for WHS, pitching 2 1-3 innings and allowing six runs (none earned) on three hits and two walks. Taggert struck out three. Zach Docter pitched 3 2-3 innings of relief and allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and one walk, while striking out four.
"Our pitching depth was key as well," Veidt said. "I cannot say enough about our kids' resiliency and ability to keep fighting back. We would not be denied (Tuesday).
"We fought through a very uncharacteristically poor defensive third inning and won this game with pitching depth, clutch hitting and a strong bench."
At the plate for the Wildcats, Jesse Bradds led at 3-for-5 with six RBIs.
"Jesse has had some nice games for us in three years, but this was perhaps his best," Veidt said. "He had three hits and six clutch RBIs. He also threw the potential winning run out at second base trying to steal in the seventh."
Michael Smith, Docter, Taggert and Tyler Williams each had two hits. Smith scored three runs, while Docter scored four runs and one RBI. Taggert scored two runs and had one RBI. Emery was 1-for-1 with a double.
The Wildcats scored eight runs with two outs.
"These kids are fighters. That's what baseball is all about … playing every pitch and handling adversity," Veidt said. "Rivalry wins are always nice, but an extra-innings win is even sweeter."
WHS will play again on Thursday as they host the Fairfield Lions in an SHL matchup. Also on Thursday, the Wildcats will have a number retirement ceremony for former standout players Kip Young (21) and Ryan Barnett (14) before the 5 p.m. first-pitch.
BOX SCORE
WHS 002 420 003 — 11
EB 006 100 100 — 8[[In-content Ad]]