Eagles and Bulldogs split double-header
Published 10:30 pm Friday, April 13, 2018
The Goshen Eagles travelled to Pike County for a doubleheader with the Bulldogs and used a big sixth inning to put away Pike County 14-1 in the first game.
The game appeared to be heading for a close finish through four innings with the game knotted at one.
It was in the top of the fifth when the Eagles got to Bulldog starting pitcher Qua Walker, scoring four runs to jump out to a 5-1 lead.
In the next inning, Goshen chased Walker out of the game, along with his initial reliever, en route to a nine run sixth.
The Eagles began the game by stranding two in the top of the first but, after putting the Bulldogs down in order in the bottom half, was able to score the game’s first run in the second inning.
The run was scored by Tate Phillips who reached first after being hit by a pitch. He was able to score from third later on a passed ball on a strikeout.
Pike County quickly responded on the other side of the inning with a run of its own. Walker reached base with an infield single and quickly stole second.
He was able to score from second when Julius Allen sent a ball into the outfield. Walker raced home while the cutoff man was able to throw Allen out at second.
Both starting pitchers dug in for the next couple of innings as the two teams combined for just one hit and two baserunners.
In the top of the fifth, Goshen was able to plate three runs before the first out was recorded.
Brock Snyder drove in a run with a double and was followed by a two run single from Corey Peterson.
After stealing second and then third, Peterson scored the Eagles’ fourth run of the inning.
Pike County failed to respond in the bottom of the inning and was quickly sent back out on defense.
Goshen picked up in the sixth where it had left off in the fifth by adding four runs and running Walker out of the game just one out into the sixth.
Of the seven batters Walker faced in the inning, only two of them recorded a hit. Two batters reached on error, two more were hit by a pitch and Dalton Brunce had an RBI sac fly.
Lampley came in in relief and fanned the first batter he faced. The next four batters all reached base, however, and he left the game after giving up three runs, two of them charged to him.
Goshen pushed the final two runs of the game across against new reliever Whit Mauldin when Snyder drove in a pair of baserunners.
The Bulldogs were able to get one baserunner on in the bottom of the sixth but that’s all.
Eagles starting pitcher Blake Saupe was able to go the distance against Pike County, recording four strikeouts in six innings.
Goshen’s McGwire Stanley was 1-2 with a double and two RBI’s. He reached base four times, had two stolen bases and scored three runs.
“It felt good to get a lead and hold a lead, for a change,” Goshen head coach Robby Kinsaul said following the game. “Blake Saupe threw really well on the mound and we played really good defense behind him.”
The Bulldogs answered in game two and knocked off Goshen 5-4.
Chance Brunney pitched 6.1 innings for the Bulldogs in the win. Mauldin came in and picked up the last two outs.
Tyrese Johnson picked up a two-run double in the win.