By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C. — A bases-loaded single by pinch-hitter David Ayers in the top of the 8th inning scored two runs for the Martinsville Mustangs, jumpstarting a late innings rally by the visitors and an eventual 7-5 victory over the host Boone Bigfoots at Smith Stadium on June 20.
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With a pitching collapse in the final two frames, the Bigfoots wasted an early power surge by leftfielder Michael Young (HR, 2B, 2 RBIs, 1 run scored) and a respectable pitching effort by starter Trey Sanders (Columbus, Ga., Samford University), who gave up only two runs in 4.1 innings of work on the mound.
Ayers’ 2-run single in the 8th inning closed the Mustangs’ deficit to 5-4 and Boone reliever Jacob Haley (Huntsville, Ala., University of South Alabama) came on to get the final two outs in the 8th inning, but Martinsville wasted little time in jumping on USA’s rising junior pitcher for three runs in the top of the 9th to take the lead and the win.
The Mustangs’ Enrique Wood (North Carolina A&T) led off the top of the 9th inning with a single, then came home on a wild pitch to knot the score at 5-5. Two batters later, a wild pitch put runners at 2nd and 3rd for the Mustangs and leftfielder Hayden Friese (Western Carolina University) drove them home with a single to left, completing the visitors’ comeback for the win.
The Bigfoots go on an eastern road trip over the weekend, at Wilmington (Sharks) on Saturday, June 21, and at Wilson (Tobs) on Sunday, June 22, before a Tuesday, June 24 home tilt vs. the Forest City Owls.
KEY PERFORMERS
- BOONE BIGFOOTS
- Michael Young (LF): 2-4, 1 run scored, 2 RBIs, HR, 2B, Sacrifice Fly
- Kenan Bowman (CF): 3-5, 1 run scored
- Payton Basler (3B): 1-4, 1 run scored, 1 RBI
- Trey Sanders (P): 4.1 innings pitched, 7 hits, 2 runs, 4 walks, 3 strikeouts
- MARTINSVILLE MUSTANGS
- Hayden Friese (LF): 2-4, 2 runs scored, stolen base
- David Ayers (PH): 2-5, 2 RBIs
- Jack Pokorak (1B): 2-6, 1 RBI, 2 doubles
- Enrique Wood (SS): 2-2, 1 run scored, 1 RBI
- Carson McCoy (RF): 1-4, 2 runs scored, walk, 2 stolen bases
- Simon Linde (P): 5 innings, pitched, 6 hits, 1 run, 5 strikeouts, 1 walk
