One For The Books

There is an old saying if you go to enough games you will see something you have never seen before.  Rocky Mount behind David Harrison led Nash  Central in the sixth inning 4-1 and even though it was not his best outing had control of the game until he hit that pitch count number of 105 he had to come out of the game.

Freshman Ben Seracki came in and one run scored in the sixth which went under David Harrison's number  so the Gryphons led 4-2 heading into the seventh.  Nash Central  would not die managed to score one to make it 4-3 and with two outs with the bases loads Cameron Taylor was hit by a pitch to score the tying run.  Joyous of getting on base Taylor slung his bat well above the head of a couple of players near the on deck area and walked   Then here is where the game gets weird.  Pat Smith inquired about the bat being thrown and after a discussion  the runner was called out and ejected from the game.  If he is called out that ends the game  4-3 Rocky Mount no tie.  Willie Lanley's turn to to talk to the umpires and after the discussion the teams meet at home plate games over.

I am now heading to my car and told come back the ruling has been changed to the player tossed out and another runner took his place on first back to a tie game.  The Gryphons get the next man out.  I have no idea whether the call was right wrong or indifferent.  Both teams go quietly in the eighth.  Nash Central scores twice in the in the ninth and seems as both sides are fighting to find a pitcher that can survive this game.  Rocky Mount strikes back in the 9th to tie and on to the tenth.  their first run was a homer by David Harrison to make it 6-5.  The gryphons score one more but could have gotten that all important third run but came up short.

Nash Central  had a chance to score in the tenth with two one but came up empty.  Rocky Mount opens the tenth with a Logon Pearce single.  He is wiped out on a fielders choice.  David Harrison steals second.  Ben Seracki is intentionally walked to make runners on first and second for a possible double play.  Victor ward up from the JV's get an infield hit to load the bases.  Zack Keeter lays down a suicide squeeze and David Harrison scores the winning run.

There is  just so much to tell and no space to tell it.  Rocky Mount started the first four inning getting their first two batters on base in all four.  Twice they had the bases loaded.    managed only four runs when it looked like it could have been 10.  Zack Patterson started for the Bulldogs and lasted just two and a third innings.  Trey Whitley followed  pitching two and two thirds and then  Chris Godwin pitched the last 4 plus innings. 

Harrison pitched five and a third Ben Seracki, Joe Petway and Josh Pittman combined for the next 4 and two thirds with Pittman getting the win.

Josh Pittman had four hits, Spencer Ramsey two, Victor Ward two, Logan Pearce 2, David Harrison 2, Ben Seracki one, and I don't know if Zack Keeter gets credit since he was never thrown out on the squeeze. 

Nash Central was paced by Chase Minchew with two singles and several had one hit.  Payton Bass, Colby Carter, Tyler Sherrod, Cameron  Taylor,Davidson Winders, Garrett Killebrew, and Hunter Robinson.

After a game like this and Rocky Mount has pitched to some degree every pitcher they have they have another conference game tonight against Hunt.

 Southern Nash beat Fike 3-2 and Hunt shutout Northern Nash 6-0