Huskies pull away in fifth, crush Dayton 11-2
AURORA, Ore. - Throughout the entire first four innings, three or less runs separated these two clubs, but the Huskies used a huge seven-run fifth inning to pull away from the Dayton Pirates in an 11-2 victory on Wednesday at Bob Brack Stadium.
A major party to credit for the victory was Junior Wyatt Moore, who pitched his way to a complete game win. Wyatt's numbers were solid, as he allowed just two runs and one walk while striking out eight Pirates batters. It only took Wyatt 83 pitches to cruise through seven innings and earn his first win of the young 2012 season.
Dayton opened the game with a run in the top of the first inning as the Pirates leadoff hitter doubled. He was then moved along to third on a sac bunt, and driven in on another base hit.
The Huskies did not take long to answer, as they used a four-hit inning to take the lead for the first and last time in the game. Two outs were promptly recorded, but that did not hinder the Huskies first-inning efforts. Four consecutive base hits baffled the Pirates and were to credit for the Huskies three-run inning. Brandan Hopper doubled to left-center field. Tristan Wampole followed behind him with an RBI-single. Wyatt Moore legged out an infield single. And with Tristan and Wyatt in scoring position, Spencer Beachy stepped in and singled through the hole at shortstop to give the Huskies the 3-1 advantage.
In the second and third innings combined, Wyatt struck out four of the six Dayton batters he faced, while the other two could only manage measly ground outs.
North Marion added onto their lead in the bottom of the fourth inning, when Brock Breshears singled over the second basemen's grasp, driving in Danny Robles - who was on base via a hit of his own.
Dayton attempted to hit the comeback trail in their half of the fifth inning, and they did score a run off of two hits in the inning. However, the inning was abruptly ended when a Pirate was caught stealing third.
The Huskies shut the door on any hopes of a Dayton comeback when they struck for their biggest run output inning of the season. North Marion only tallied two base hits in the inning, but their patience at the plate was enough to send several runners on base due to walks. Wampole jump started the inning with his second hit of the day. The first out of the inning was recorded, but it was a productive one, as Wyatt bunted and moved the runner up one base. Beachy also earned his second hit of the day when he singled to right-center field. Robles was walked to load the bases for the Huskies with just one out. Dayton struggled with their decision-making in the ensuing at bats, as no outs were recorded on a bunt by Nat Barrell or Brock Breshears. A mid-inning pitching change did not help Dayton's cause too much, as runs continued to be walked home. Wampole put an exclamation point on the inning when he delivered with another base hit, scoring two more Huskies.
Even with his rising pitch count, Wyatt continued to be effective, sitting down six of the last seven Dayton batsmen to end the game with an 11-2 win.
North Marion played error-free baseball for the first time all season. Not one Husky batter struck out all game long - another first for the season. The Huskies ended the game with totals of eleven runs and ten hits - the hits coming courtesy of the first seven batters in the lineup and Brock Breshears. Recording multi-hit days for the Huskies were Spencer Beachy and Tristan Wampole, as mentioned before. Danny Robles and Wyatt Moore each swiped a base for the Huskies also.
Dayton ended their participation in the North Marion Spring Break Tournament with another disappointing loss. The Huskies improved to 1-1 in the tournament after the win, and were set to host the Pleasant Hill Billies in the tournament finale following the win over Dayton. North Marion evened their overall season record at three wins and three losses.