WCHS wins a ‘wild’ one: Gilley scores game-winning run
(Deuce Niven photo)
(Deuce Niven photo)
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After blowing a 4-2 lead, the Pioneers had to go to extra innings against the visiting Wildcats, but snatched a 6-5 victory by scoring two runs on wild pitches in the bottom of the eighth.
“The kids battled,” said WCHS head coach Jimmy Walker. “They let it slip away, but they fought back against a quality team and a quality pitcher.”
With the win, the Pioneers improved to 2-2, while Tullahoma was handed its first loss and now stands at 2-1.
Warren County held a 4-2 lead going into the top of the seventh inning, but Tullahoma clawed its way back against Pioneer reliever Colby Jenkins, who allowed a pair of runs on two hits and two walks after coming on to replace starter Landon Boren.
After going down in order in their half of the seventh, the Pioneers gave up another run in the top of the eighth, when Tullahoma’s Matt Gray brought in Joe Spence with a sacrifice fly.
Pioneer first baseman John Morrison was hit by a pitch to start the bottom of the eighth, however, starting the eventual game-winning rally.
“John did what he does best, get hit by a pitch,” Walker said. “He’s a human pincushion up there, but he’s a team player for doing that.”
Steven Ehrhardt was brought in to run for Morrison, and quickly drew a pickoff throw from Tullahoma reliever Kenny Griffin. The throw bounced away from the Wildcat first baseman, allowing Ehrhardt to move all the way to third, and he eventually scored on a wild pitch to Joey Haston.
Haston drew a walk, and was replaced by pinch-runner Todd Gilley, who took second and third on wild pitches to Jacob Bratcher, then came home when a 2-0 offering to Chase McGee went in the dirt and got past Wildcat receiver Jeff Blackman.
McGee was the hero early in Friday’s game, as he made Tullahoma starter Scott Miller pay for his own wild ways in the second.
Already down 2-0, the Pioneers’ Haston, Jacob Bratcher and Joshua Bratcher drew three straight walks to start their half of the frame. McGee then drilled a 2-2 offering into left-center, clearing the bases with a triple. The junior outfielder came around to score on a single from Derek Kennamer, giving WCHS a 4-2 lead.
“Chase has really worked hard,” Walker said. “He spent some extra time in the cage after BP (Thursday), and when he hits the ball he’s really fun to watch.
“He’s hit the ball well so far, and the hard work he put in this summer has paid off.”
McGee finished 2-for-3 at the plate, while Kennamer, Matt Brown and Tyler Herriman all connected for base hits.
Mark Chaney was 2-for-4 for Tullahoma, driving in two runs,. Zach Smith also finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.
Landon Boren got the start on the mound for WCHS, working six innings and allowing two runs (one earned) on three hits. He walked four batters, hit one and struck out seven.
“I’m proud of Landon,” Walker said. “We let him throw about 15 more pitches than we wanted him to, but sometimes I look back and wish I’d let him complete the game.
“We didn’t know how Landon was going to come out this year, but he did pretty good down the stretch tonight, and I’m proud of him. He really took a step in the right direction toward being one of our top three starters.”
The Pioneers had to finish the game without starting second baseman Joshua Bratcher, who twisted his ankle while going back for a pop fly late in the game. His status is questionable pending an evaluation on Monday. Brooks Majors replaced Bratcher at second.
The Pioneers took on Cumberland County Saturday, and open District 7-AAA play Tuesday and Wednesday with a two-day series against Oakland. Tuesday’s game is scheduled to be played in Murfreesboro, with the teams returning to Patrick Ramsey Field on Wednesday. First pitch for both contests is set for 6:30 p.m.