Stephens comes through for WCHS
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With two out in the bottom of the seventh, Stephens slapped single to center field, bringing home Nick Cantrell with the game-winning run to wrap a 5-4 win over the Falcons.
The win, which improved the Pioneers to 3-6 on the season, looked to be in jeopardy from the outset of Friday’s game, as Lincoln County plated two runs in each of the first two innings.
The Falcons’ Heath Sharp drove in his team’s first two runs with a two-out double in the first, and an errant pickoff attempt from catcher Jacob Bratcher sailed into left field in the second, allowing two more Lincoln County players to score.
But Pioneer starting pitcher Landon Boren wasn’t fazed by his team’s early deficit, as he allowed just two hits over the next four innings before being relieved by Jared Qualls in the seventh.
Qualls gave up an infield single to Lincoln County’s Adam Curtis in the top of the final frame, but Curtis was cut down trying to steal second thanks to an on-the-money throw from Bratcher, and Gus Fraley popped up to center field to end the Falcon half of the inning.
Cantrell drew a walk to open the Pioneer seventh, and advanced on a bunt single from Chase McGee. Bratcher fanned for the inning’s first out, but Tyler Herriman moved Cantrell and McGee into scoring position with a grounder to first, setting the stage for Stephens’ game-winning base knock.
McGee and Josh Bratcher had two hits each for the Pioneers, with McGee driving in two runs with a single in the second inning. Steven Ehrhardt also had an RBI in the second, as the Pioneers cut Lincoln County’s lead to 4-3.
Designated hitter Joey Haston reached on a fielder’s choice in the third, and came around to score on a passed ball, tying the score at 4-4.
In addition to McGee and Josh Bratcher’s multi-hit games, the Pioneers also got hits from Stephens, Colby Killian, Ehrhardt and Cantrell.
On the mound, Qualls was credited with the win for his scoreless inning of relief. Only one of the four runs scored by Lincoln County was charged as an earned run to Boren, who allowed six hits and balanced five strikeouts against three walks.
Ward gave up four runs (three earned) on five hits for the Falcons, and fanned nine Pioneers while walking just one through five innings. Fraley allowed three hits and struck out two in the game’s final two innings. Sharp was the only Falcon with more than one hit, as he finished 2-for-3 with a pair of RBIs.
The Pioneers faced La Vergne at home Saturday afternoon, and will take on Riverdale for a two-game district series this Tuesday and Wednesday.
Tuesday’s game will be played in Murfreesboro, while the two squads will play at Patrick Ramsey Field Wednesday night.
First pitch for both games is set for 6:30 p.m.