By David Rogers. BOONE, N.C.— A dramatic 7-run explosion in the 7th and 8th innings broke open a 4-4 deadlock and powered the Boone Bigfoots to a convincing, 11-6 win over Coastal Plain League leader, the Forest City Owls on June 24 at Smith Stadium.
After Boone twice loaded the bases in the bottom of the first inning but were limited to just a single run as Owls starting pitcher Luke Ferguson was able to wiggle out of the jams — thanks in no small measure to baserunning errors by the Bigfoots — the offensive action carried over into the second inning. The Owls sent John Jones to the mound to start the bottom half of the 2nd. It might have been a different pitcher, but the Bigfoots were still on target, offensively. Rightfielder Brady Sullivan (Cypress, Texas; Blinn Community College) led off with a single to right, then second baseman Blaine Lucas (Tomball, Texas; San Jacinto Community College) raced to first base on a dropped third strike by the Owls catcher.
The Bigfoots’ designated hitter on this night was Michael Young (Montgomery, Ala.; University of South Alabama). As Boone’s hottest batter in recent games, Young didn’t disappoint, smashing a double off the left-centerfield wall and driving in both Sullivan and Lucas.
The Bigfoots would add another run in the 4th inning behind a strong pitching performance by starter Drew Harrison (Madison, Miss.; Pearl River Community College). The lanky righthander gave up three runs on three hits, striking out seven of the 22 batters he faced while walking none. Of Harrison’s 77 pitches thrown, 56 were strikes.
Cole McMichael (Louisville, Ky.; Bellarmine University) took the mound in relief of Harrison to start the 7th inning — and immediately gave up a solo home run to Owls left fielder Matthew Lively (Chapin, S.C.; The Citadel). McMichael settled down to allow only one more baserunner, but that left the score knotted at 4-4.
The Bigfoots responded with four runs of their own in the bottom half of the 7th inning. Young led off with a single for his third hit of the ball game. Then Owls reliever Corben Childers had some control problems, walking Charlie Niehaus (West Chester, Ohio; University of Cincinnati) and hitting Payton Basler (Lansing, Kansas; University of Missouri) to load the bases.
Davin Whitaker (Mocksville, N.C.; East Carolina) wasted no time, slashing the second pitch to center for a 2-RBI single, scoring Young and Niehaus. Whitaker and Basler would complete the scoring for the inning a couple of batters later on wild pitches.
It was three up and three down in the top of the 8th for the Owls, with Colin Jenkins (Mt. Olive, Miss.; Pearl River Community College) taking the mound for the Bigfoots, in relief. A flyout to left and a couple of groundouts to third base were all the visitors from Forest City could manage in response.
In the bottom half of the inning, the Bigfoots added three more insurance runs off of another new Owls pitcher, Adam Katz. Grant Watkins (Troon, Neb.; Abilene Christian), Niehaus and Basler all singled to again load the bases full of Bigfoots and Whitaker took advantage by driving a double to the fence, scoring all three of the runners ahead of him.
The Owls, still firmly in first place with an 11-5 record after the loss, threatened to even things up in the top of the 9th inning, but could only manage to score two runs, coming up short on the night.
Harrison was credited as the winning pitcher for Boone, Ferguson picked up the loss for the Owls.
Boone is at Martinsville on June 25 then return home on June 26, hosting the High Point-Thomasville HiToms.
KEY PERFORMERS
Bigfoots
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- Drew Harrison (SP): 6 innings, allowed 3 runs on 3 hits, no walks, 7 strikeouts
- Michael Young (DH): 3-4, 2 runs scored, 2 RBIs, 2B
- Davin Whitaker (CF): 3-4, 1 run scored, 6 RBIs, 2B
- Blaine Lucas (2B): 1-4, 2 runs scored, 2B
- Payton Basler (3B): 1-4, 2 runs scored, hit by pitch
- Charlie Niehaus (SS): 1-3, 2 runs scored, 2 walks
Forest City
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- Jaden James (1B): 2-4, 2 runs scored, stolen base
- Frank Kelly (2B): 1-4, 1 run scored, 2 RBIs, HR
- Matthew Lively (LF): 1-3, 2 runs scored, 1 RBI, HR, walk
- Kael Snethen (3B): 1-3, 1 RBI, 2 stolen bases
