Gallery by Tina Laney
Hico – Solid defense, timely hitting and the ability to manufacture runs have long been in a winning combination on the diamond.
Thursday night, Greenbrier West utilized all three aspects along with a pitching gem from senior Dale Boone to earn an important 5-2 road win over sectional rival Midland Trail.
“It was a good baseball game. Their pitcher was better than us today,” Midland Trail head coach John Mark Kincaid said. “Both pitchers dominated the game, but we didn’t play clean enough to beat them. They beat us because they made plays and we didn’t make plays.”
The Cavaliers quickly exhibited their ability to manufacture runs in the opening frame, spearheaded by Brayden McClung who reached on an infield single and took second on a wild pitch.
With his chances of scoring looking slim after Trail starter Larry Bigham fanned the next two batters, McClung broke for third base on the pitch.
When the throw to third sailed into left field, McClung scored easily for a 1-0 lead.
“I would hate to be a pitcher with Brayden on the bases. He is going to stretch his lead off as far as he possibly can and he has a green light,” Greenbrier West head coach Matt McClung said about his son. “We want the pitcher and catcher to always be thinking about Brayden. He is a really good lead-off hitter and he creates havoc.”
Boone made his only real mistake of the game in the home half of the third inning when Aaron Dempsey launched a drive over the right field fence for a solo homer to tie the game.
McClung knew the next inning was crucial in a game where runs were clearly going to be at a premium.
“We had to get the momentum back. We are playing at their field against a really good pitcher and they had just hit a home run. Once a team gets momentum, it is hard to stop that train,” McClung said. “We were able to get someone on base and get another run in to get the lead back. It kind of took the air out of them a little bit. It was definitely the most crucial run of the game and opened things up for us.”
After Ethan Holliday was hit by a pitch to open the critical fourth, the Cavaliers turned to small ball to regain the lead.
Cole Vandall stepped to the plate with one out and dropped what appeared to be a sacrifice bunt. However, Vandall hustled down the line beating the throw and Holliday never broke stride racing for third base.
When Holliday slid in safely Vandall broke for second base drawing a throw which in turn, allowed Holliday to scamper home for a 2-1 advantage.
“They manufactured their plays and their experience showed. A little of our inexperience at a few positions showed (as well),” Kincaid said. “We have to play the game a lot cleaner. We weren’t fundamentally (sound) and they were tonight. But, it is March. They are playing hard and they will clean it up before the year is out and we are going to be pretty good.”
McClung admitted he knew his team had to be aggressive on any opportunity that came its way Thursday.
“We have struggled with (Bigham). He is a good pitcher,” McClung said. “We knew when we got kids on base that we had to be aggressive and force them to make mistakes and make plays.”
The breakout inning for Greenbrier West came in the sixth after McClung beat out another infield single and Holliday reached on a one-out walk.
Facing the possibility of McClung creating more havoc on the bases, Bigham left one over the plate with Boone in the batter’s box.
“I came up there hoping to see something that I liked. I took the first (pitch), but the second one was perfect, right in my wheel-house. I took a cut at it and barreled it up,” Boone said.
Boone blasted a shot to the base of the right field fence scoring two runs, giving the Cavaliers a 4-1 lead.
“We were able to manufacture some runs and loosen the game up for us a little bit,” McClung said. “With Dale (pitching), you usually only need a couple of runs. He throws gas and he is a strong pitcher.”
Boone then advanced to third on a ground ball out before he caught Trail napping and stole home on a throw back to the pitcher.
The Patriots added one run in the seventh, but Boone capped his brilliant performance on the hill with three strikeouts in the final inning, giving him 10 on the night.
“I gained about 10 miles per hour on my fastball since last year and they hadn’t seen me yet,” Boone said. “I came out feeling strong and was ready to adjust if they started hitting me.”
“Let’s be honest, he put the game on his shoulders. He said I got this,” McClung said about his ace. “He pitched a heck of a game, had a two-RBI double that almost went out. Then he caught the catcher sleeping and stole home there. He gave us three runs on his own and held them to two runs.”
Bigham was the tough-luck loser, but was equally as impressive, ending the night with 14 strikeouts.
“We have to play cleaner and smarter and that is on me. Those kids are trying their best,” Kincaid said.
