|
Missed opportunities
West loses at Patton By David Parsons, Correspondent Errors and missed opportunities plagued the West Caldwell Warriors Wednesday as they lost to the Patton Panthers 8-5 in Morganton. “Tonight goes back to what has defeated us this season, which is not executing on defense and not hitting with runners in scoring position,” said Warriors head coach Kevin Abee. The Warriors were held hitless until the sixth inning and went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position on the night. They also committed three errors on the night. Jake Benfield took the loss for the Warriors, pitching all seven innings, striking out seven and walking three. Of the eight Patton runs, only four were earned. The Warriors (7-12 overall, 4-10 CVAC) had an opportunity to tie Bunker Hill for the last playoff spot with a win coupled with a Bear loss, but now cannot afford another loss in their four remaining games. The Warriors now are in a three-way tie with Maiden and Newton-Conover, one game out of the playoff spot. West Caldwell took the lead in the first without the benefit of a hit. Gordy Hendrix, Ray Bowles, and A.J. Jenkins all reached on walks off Patton starter Steven Dyson. Jeffrey Rousselle grounded into a double play, but Hendrix scored on the play putting the Warriors ahead 1-0. Patton tied the score in the fourth inning after Chris Fine reached on a fielder's choice and Ryan Hasson ripped a ball to right field that was misplayed rolling to the fence allowing Fine to score from first. The Panthers took the lead in the third when Nick Chapman and Dykota Speiss reached on consecutive singles for Dyson who dropped a double inside the third base line to score both Chapman and Speiss and give Patton the 3-1 edge. Patton increased its lead in the fourth as Fine singled and stole second before Nick Newton singled to left to score Fine and increase the Panther lead to 4-1. The Panthers tacked on two more runs in the fifth when Chapman led off with a single to right and Speiss reached on a infield error. Dyson scored Chapman on a sacrifice fly to make the score 5-1. After a pair of walks loaded the bases, Ryan Hanson grounded out on a possible double play ball allowing Speiss to score. The Warriors rallied in the sixth inning starting when Rousselle reached on a fielder's choice ahead of Benfield who reached on a walk. Two batters later Caleb Gragg roped a double to right field to score Rousselle. Luke Greene then ripped a triple to the right field corner to score both Benfield and Greene. Evan Swanson then reached on a third strike that got away from catcher Fine to score Greene and close the Warrior deficit to a run. However, Patton put the Warriors away with two runs in the sixth. With two outs and a runner on, Speiss popped up in foul territory but no Warrior infielder could make a play on the ball. The next pitch, Speiss drilled the Benfield offering deep to right field to extend the Patton lead to 8-5. “We've got four games left and no more tomorrows,” said Abee. “We have to find a way to play our game and make plays around our pitchers and if we do we can play with anybody.” The Warriors will return to action on Friday in Gamewell against the Hickory Red Tornadoes with a 7 p.m. starting time.
|
