North Marion comes from behind to defeat Roosevelt in opener
AURORA, Ore. - Things were looking all fine and dandy for the Huskies Baseball team through four innings against Roosevelt on Monday night at Bob Brack Stadium, but things took a sharp turn in the ensuing fifth inning. A four-run spot for the Roughriders in that fifth inning followed by a one-run follow up inning forced the Huskies to play with a four-run deficit. However, the strong pitching of Freshman Jordan Kendall and Sophmore Brock Breshears and a clutch walk off base knock for Junior Wyatt Moore propelled North Marion to a 7-6 thrilling victory.
Things got off to a questionable start for Senior pitcher Spencer Beachy, as the first two runners reached base. But an 8-6 double play where a Roosevelt baserunner took too big of a run towards third base on a fly ball theoretically ended the Roughriders inning.
Senior Zach Williamson started off the Huskies offense in dramatic fashion, with a game-opening double to left-center field. A sac bunt by his brother, Kyle Williamson, moved Zach over to third. Brandan Hopper reached on an error, and Zach scored, granting the Huskies their first run of the ball game. Tristan Wampole also reached on an error, which drove Hopper in for the Huskies second of their two opening-inning runs.
As to not work the pitchers too much in just the first game, coach Randy Brack capped all of the Huskies' pitchers' innings at two. Spencer Beachy looked fabulous as a whole in his first action, allowing just two hits while striking out three batters in two innings of work. Wyatt Moore was brought into action for the third inning, and he struggled to throw strikes in his first few batters faced, walking four in the inning including walking a Roosevelt run home. But when he reappeared for fourth inning action, he was on target, allowing just an infield single while sitting down the rest of the Roughriders batsmen in order. Brandan Hopper followed in the pitching parade, but things got dicey during his tenure on the mound. Five runs were scored while Brandan was pitching, and Roosevelt was out to a four-run lead.
Trailing 6-2 coming into the bottom of the sixth, the Huskies took advantage of some lousy Roosevelt pitching, as batters were being walked and hit left and right. Wyatt Moore drove in Senior Brandon Royal on a fielder's choice, and Freshman Nat Barrell scored on an error, pulling North Marion within two at 6-4 through six innings.
Sophomore Brock Breshears and Freshman Jordan Kendall settled the Roosevelt lineup down, not allowing a run to cross the plate while either of the two occupied the pitching position.
Coming into the bottom of the seventh, the Huskies still found themselves down by a couple runs. Kyle Williamson reached on an error and moved around the bases on a steal and a wild pitch, respectively. Brandan Hopper was hit by a pitch and achieved second on a stolen base. With those two runners in scoring position for Sophomore First Baseman Tristan Wampole, he belted a ball to right field, as a Roosevelt player was barely able to get under the fly ball. However, Kyle Williamson was able to score on this sacrafice fly, and Hopper advanced from second to third. Jordan Kendall added to his already successful night by knocking a ball to second base, forcing the second baseman to make a quick decision. Fortunately for the Huskies, the second baseman decided to attempt to get Hopper out going home, but Brandan was safe by quite a bit. Then with two down and two on, Wyatt Moore stepped to the plate. The count reached two strikes, and the Huskies looked content to be playing in extra innings. But Wyatt pulled through on the two-strike count and hit a blooper into left field, which was placed perfectly between the third baseman and the left fielder, and it dropped for a base hit. Brandon Royal touched home to give the Huskies their seventh run, a run which also granted them the 7-6 lead, and the 7-6 win.
As a team, the Huskies could only tally three hits, coming from Zach and Kyle Williamson and Wyatt Moore. In retrospect, North Marion only struck out four times as a team, somewhat making up for the lack of hits. Wyatt also led the Huskies with two RBI's. Hopper swiped a pair of bases and Barrell was hit by a pitch twice, both players leading the team in those respective categories.
The Huskies pitching staff as a whole surrendered seven hits - none of which were extra base hits - and thirteen walks, but struck out eight. Roosevelt committed five errors, while North Marion only made three.
North Marion starts out the season 1-0 for the first time in four years. The Huskies next opponent is the powerful 5A Marist Spartans, who North Marion lost to 8-2 in last year's matchup. That game begins at 5PM from Bob Brack Stadium on Tuesday evening.