Patriots get past Emmanuel
Published 3:00 am Tuesday, April 12, 2016
Wood Jinright drove in the game-winning run in the seventh inning to give the Pike Patriots a 5-4 win over Emmanuel Christian on Monday.
The Patriots led 4-0 until the seventh inning, when Emmanuel scored four runs in the final two innings to tie the game.
“For us as a team, we have to be able to put teams away when we have the opportunity,” said Patriots head coach Allen Ponder. “We have a bad habit of being complacent. They did do a good job at putting runs on the board. I am proud of our guys for winning.”
Jarrett Jordan got the start for the Patriots and lasted four innings without surrendering a run on just three hits.
“It was good for us to get Jarrett back on the mound,” Ponder said. “For him to come out and throw pain free baseball really helps us as we get into the playoffs.”
Both teams finished with eight hits on the night. Tyler Hussey had two hits with two RBIs and Reed Jinright had two hits and one RBI.
The Patriots scored three runs in the bottom of the second inning. Kiegan Simmons and Murphy Renfroe led of the inning with back-to-back walks. Tyler Hussey doubled to right field, driving in Simmons. Bailey Renfroe hit a sacrifice fly that scored brother Murphy Renfroe. Reed Jinright finished out the inning with a double of his own scoring Cason Murphree who pinch ran for Hussey.
The Patriots scored again in the bottom of the third when Hussey singled in Simmons.
Emmanuel was able to cut into the Patriots lead in the sixth inning with a two-run homerun.
Tyler Floyd took the mound for the Patriots in the seventh, and Emmanuel scored two runs on two singles and two walks.
Reed Jinright stepped up and led off the inning with a triple to centerfield. Emmanuel elected to intentionally walk both Hunter Jones and Adam Grice, setting up Wood Jinright to drive in the winning run. The pitcher walked Jinright on four straight pitchers, scoring Reed Jinright to win the game for the Patriots.
The Patriots now get set to host the first round of the playoffs on Friday when they welcome the Hooper Colts at 3 p.m.