By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — For the first three innings of the June 16 Coastal Plain League game between Boone and Forest City, the Bigfoots kept pace with the Owls at Smith Stadium. Boone even led at the end of the third frame, 3-2. But when their bats fell largely silent and the visitors’ offensive production came alive, the Owls emerged the victors, 6-3.
To be sure, it was a better contested encounter for the Boone nine vs. the division-leading Forest City than the 11-6 blowout on June 2 or the 16-8 demolition on June 8, but the third time proved not the proverbial charm, even with better pitching.
“We couldn’t hit the ball,” said Boone’s front office executive Bob Wilson after the game. “That has to get better.”
The game started promising enough for the home side. They gave up an early run in the top of the first inning but rebounded to score two of their own in the bottom half of the frame. Carlos Amezquita opened by beating out a grounder to second base for a single, stole second, then scored on a single toward right field by Jalen Vasquez to knot the game at 1-1. Vasquez would later score on a ground ball fielder’s choice to bring home the Bigfoots’ second run of the inning.
The Owls tied the game with another run in the top of the third inning, but the Bigfoots matched it to regain their one-run lead.
Boone rapped out seven hits on the night, but five of them were singles in the first three innings. The fact they were scoreless the rest of the way means the Owls’ hurlers pitched a 2-hit shutout over the final six innings.
Meanwhile, Forest City scored two runs in the 4th inning and another pair in the 6th to expand their winning margin.
The Owls have become the Bigfoots’ season nemesis. Boone sports a 4-5 record on the still young season, with three of those losses coming to Forest City. Against other West Division opponents, the Bigfoots have at times been dominant. With a 9-3 league mark, the Owls have played three more games than Boone and lead the division.
Forest City’s winning pitcher was Austin Hunley (2-0), with the Owls save credited to Colton Huntt (0-0, 3 saves). The Bigfoots’ starting pitcher, Walker Case (0-1), picked up the loss.
KEY PERFORMANCES
- BIG – Carlos Amezquita: 2-3, 2 runs scored, 1 walk
- BIG – Tyson Bass: 0-3, 1 RBI, 1 Sac Fly
- BIG – Jalen Vasquez: 2-4, 1 run, 1 RBI, 3 stolen bases
- FOR – Wade Kelly: 1-4, 3 runs scored, 1 RBI, 2B, 1 walk, 2 stolen bases
- FOR – G. Allen: 2-2, 4 RBIs, 1 walk, 2 stolen bases, 2 Sac Flies
- FOR – Derek Wood: 2-4, 1 run scored
BONUS PHOTOS
