Late runs propel Springwood over The Oaks
BY ROB DAVIS
FOR THE LAFAYETTE SUN
CHAMBERS COUNTY — Springwood High School scored eight runs in the top of the seventh inning to claim a come from behind 17-13 victory over The Oaks School Thursday night at West Ridge Park in Opelika.
Trailing 13-9 heading into the top of the seventh inning, the Wildcats needed at least four runs to extend the game. Using timely hitting and aggressive base running, the Wildcats crossed the plate eight times in the inning to take the lead and put the pressure on The Mighty Oaks.
Springwood shut down the home team in the bottom of the seventh to walk away with their second victory over The Oaks this season.
“I’m proud of the way we battled tonight,” Springwood head baseball coach David Strickland said. “It was back and forth the whole game and we were fortunate to come out on top. To face our last at bat down four in the top of the seventh and put eight on the board was huge.”
Bentley Hussey and Colton Jones both had three hits with Hussey driving in one run and Jones driving in four for the Wildcats. Tristan Hill had three stolen bases and Tucker Sides added two.
“We always try to put pressure on the other team by being aggressive offensively,” Strickland said. “Once we get men on base, we’re going to try to advance them using steals, bunts and infield hits. We got some timely hits tonight and our guys were really aggressive on the bases.”
Tristan Hill started the game on the mound for Springwood, pitching four strong innings before Sam Wood entered the game in the fifth and went thedistance. Wood’s strongest inning came when the Wildcats needed it most, holding the Mighty Oaks to no runs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
The Wildcats set the precedent in the top of the first inning by putting four runs on the board. Jones doubled to drive in Hussey from third base, Russell Lauderdale singled to score two and Sides crossed the plate after a wild pitch.
The Oaks responded with four runs of their own in the bottom half of the inning. Elisha Hallmark led off by reaching first base on a walk. He then stole second and third base before scoring on a wild attempted pick-off throw to third base. Noah Shabo also reached first base on a walk and eventually scored before centerfielder Mike Carter ripped a double to left field that scored two runs and tied the game.
The game was tied in the third inning until The Oaks catcher Asher Johnson blasted a home run over the center field wall to give the home team a 6-5 advantage. Springwood answered with two runs in the top of the fourth. Luke Moon singled and Bentley Hussey doubled to place two men on base. With one out and two strikes, Jones delivered a single to drive in two runs and take back the lead. The Oaks scored three runs in the fifth and four in the sixth, but the eighth run top of the seventh by Springwood proved to be too much to overcome.
