Raiders score five runs in fifth inning en route to win at Fullington

Published 6:11 pm Thursday, March 7, 2019

From Staff Reports

 

PINEHURST, GA – The Southland Raider baseball team trailed Fullington Academy (FA) 4-3 going into the top of the fifth inning, but that all changed when the Raiders scored five runs in their half of the fifth to take control of the game and win by a final of 10-5 on Wednesday, March 6, at Fullington Academy.

Hunter McCain and Owen Exley both drew walks in the top of the fifth to put two men on for the Raiders. Landon Law then reached on a bunt single to load the bases for George Wall. Wall then drew an RBI walk, scoring McCain to tie the game at 4-4 with nobody out.

Clay Owens then singled to center field, scoring Exley and Law and giving SA a 6-4 lead. After Freddie Updike flew out in foul territory for the first out, Adam Smith singled home Wall to give the Raiders a 7-4 lead. SA increased its lead to 8-4 when Tyler Kennedy hit a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Owens. After Luke Law drew a walk, courtesy runner Alex Bell was caught stealing for the third out. However, the Raiders did the damage necessary to take the game.

In the top of the seventh inning, SA scored two more insurance runs. Owens led off the inning with a single, followed by a walk to Alex Bell. Owens stole third base, putting runners at the corners with nobody out.

Owens then scored on a fielder’s choice by Adam Smith. Kennedy then reached on an error, which allowed Bell to score the Raiders’ 10th run of the game.

FA was able to get one run in the bottom of the seventh, but the Raiders held on to win their second game of the year.

Exley, Wall and Owens all went 2 for 3 at the plate for the Raiders. Exley scored a run and drove in an RBI, while Wall scored a run and drove in two. Owens scored two runs and drove in two RBIs.

Exley started the game on the mound for the Raiders and pitched two innings. He gave up four runs on four hits. Three of those runs were earned. Exley walked two batters but struck out four. Adam Smith came on in relief of Exley. He pitched 4.1 innings, giving up one run on one hit. He walked six but struck out four.

Hunter Hughes was the leading hitter for the Trojans. Hughes went 2 for 4 at the plate, scored a run and drove in another. FA used two pitchers in this game. Starting pitcher Jack McLeod pitched four innings, giving up six runs on eight hits. Five of those runs were earned. He walked six batters and struck out three. Blake Worley came on in relief of Hughes. Worley pitched three innings and gave up three runs on two hits. One of those runs was earned. He walked one batter and struck out none. The Raiders were able to take advantage of three errors committed by the Trojans. SA scored 10 runs on nine hits and committed one error.