Huskies big inning overshadowed by two Siuslaw big innings
AURORA, Ore. - North Marion posted a gigantic six-run inning, but Siuslaw owned a five and four-run inning of their own, outlasting the Huskies 11-7 in the opening game of the 2012 North Marion Spring Break Tournament. All hope looked to be lost after the top half of the third inning, as the Huskies had just given up a five frame to the Vikings an inning prior, and Siuslaw now had a 6-1 lead. However, the Huskies bounced back in the fourth inning.
The Vikings scored the game's first run after Siuslaw's Ryan Smith was driven in on a sacrafice fly following his triple.
North Marion promptly answered, as Tristan Wampole continued his stellar offensive play as of late to drive in Zach Williamson, and the Huskies first run. The game sat at 1-1 through one.
Siuslaw broke open the game in the second inning, where they tallied four hits - including two doubles - earning them four runs and the 5-1 lead. They added another run in their half of the third inning to grant them the 6-1 lead after three - their largest lead of the game.
In the bottom of the fourth, the Huskies knew they needed to awaken their offense - and they did just that. Brandan Hopper jump started the inning with a double down the right field line to the absolute corner of the stadium. Hopper advanced to third on a stolen base, setting him up to be driven in when Wampole grounded out. With the bases empty, Wyatt Moore eeked out a single, as the ball just bounced before the Siuslaw centerfield could reach it, and Spencer Beachy singled also. Back-to-back passed balls allowed the runners to advance into scoring position and then send Moore home. Brock Breshears, the Husky with the best batting average coming into the game, singled to drive in Beachy. Siuslaw's pitcher got in a jam as a Zach Williamson single scored one, a walk scored another, and a hit batsmen scored yet another. Before you knew it, the Huskies ended the inning with a lead at 7-6.
The lead was short-lived as the Vikings had an inning identical to their second inning, as they got hit after hit. Five runs were recorded in the top of the fifth and Siuslaw regained the lead at 11-7.
North Marion had a look at things in the seventh inning when they had the bases loaded. But on an awkard-looking play, Breshears struck out on a pitch that he was actually hit by. Nonetheless, the field umpire said that Brock swung and the game ended 11-7.
Spencer Beachy had a rough day on the mound, as he gave up nine hits and eleven runs - all of which were earned, culminating in being handed the loss. Jordan Kendall continued to impress in relief, as in his 2 2/3 innings pitched, Jordan allowed just one hit while walking two.
Ryan Smith, Siuslaw's starting pitcher, went 4/5 from the plate, as he was just a homerun away from the cycle with a single, a double, and two triples. On the mound however, he was to point to for the Huskies seven runs and six hits.
For the Huskies offensively, each of the first six batters delivered one base hit. The nine-hitter, Brock Breshears, and sub Jordan Kendall each had a base hit also. As a team, North Marion had the seven runs on eight hits, however they were plagued by three errors. Tristan Wampole added in three more RBI's to inflate his team-leading number.
The Huskies continue their participation in their own tournament when they host the Dayton Pirates in the middle game on Wednesday at 3PM. North Marion also closes out the tournament at 6PM when they host the Pleasant Hill Billies. North Marion fell to 2-3 after the loss, whereas Siuslaw improved to 4-1.