Embracing the cold, Moorefield shattered the ice with consistent heat at the plate generating a grand slam by Jake Ours and solo shot by Garett Haggerty to scorch the Rams 12-9 in Strasburg last Friday.
“It was great to see our pitchers did a fantastic job, they only walked to batters which put them ahead in the count and allowed Strasburg to put the ball into play. I really like how after we made an error, the pitchers just got right back on the mound and were resilient,” Moorefield skipper Wade Armentrout commented.
“They didn’t let it bother them and got ready for the next pitch. When we came to the plate, we had a lot of energy and excitement. What impressed me the most was everyone in our line-up contributed. Each batter scored at least one run, so we were very productive. Jake has been swinging the bat very well and works really hard, so I was really pleased to see him have that opportunity and the hard work he puts into the game paid off. We are going to rely on the seniors and all four contributed tonight.”
The first inning was scoreless as Strasburg pitcher Austin Miller got help from the defense as Moorefield senior Jake Ours flew out in right field, then issued a walk to junior Blake Watts, who advanced on a groundout by freshman shortstop Isaac Van Meter before being stranded on a flyout by sophomore second baseman Brent Moran to the right fielder.
Moorefield starting pitcher Blake Watts was on the mound for two innings and threw 42 pitches including two strikeouts, but allowed four hits and four runs scored.
The Rams went down in order as Ours caught a fly ball in center field, then Justin King hit a pop-up to Moran at second base and Watts fielded a grounder by Trevor Sager.
Moorefield freshman third baseman Hayden Baldwin came to the plate in the second inning and hit a deep fly ball into left field which was caught.
One could hear the chants from the dugout as Moorefield senior left fielder Garett Haggerty stepped up, then he ripped a solo home run over the left field fence and trotted home to a swarm of teammates at home plate cheering loudly as the Yellow Jackets went up 1-nil.
This hit created energy and momentum in the batter’s box as senior first baseman Matthew Mongold singled to third base side, then junior right fielder Derek Hoyt singled to right field with a laser line drive putting runners on the corners.
Moorefield sophomore catcher Lane Ours pushed a grounder to the third baseman and the Rams threw Mongold out at home plate with the side ending on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Moran.
Strasburg rallied for a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the second inning as Miller and Chase Hart singled into center field and both runners advanced on a passed ball.
Strasburg’s Cameron Harmon garnered a two-run producing single into left field with Haggerty making the throw to Lane Ours at home plate not getting the out as the ball dropped out of the glove on the tag attempt which allowed Harmon to advance to second base, 2-1.
After a single by Rams batter Justin Day, things got wild as Chris Shelton faked a bunt and Ours tried to catch the runner stealing at second base and the ball went awry, then the throw home didn’t connect and an error on a throw to third base allowed the next run to come home, 4-1.
Watts countered with a strikeout, then walked Patrick Kennedy.
A pickoff attempt went wrong and Kennedy raced over to third base, then Corey Keller got on base with a dropped third strike call on a wild pitch, but catcher Lane Ours alertly snatched the ball and made a diving tag and leap for the out on a failed steal of home.
Brother Jake Ours made the last out in center field to send the Yellow Jackets to the plate in the third inning trailing 4-1.
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Van Meter grounded out before Watts was given a free pass and stole second base, then Jake Ours reached on an error.
The bases were loaded on a walk to Baldwin for Haggerty, who was hit by a pitch to plate a run.
Mongold drew a full-count walk to cut the deficit to 4-3, then Hoyt hit into a double play.
An error on a bunt allowed Rams’ Sager to get on board off pitcher Garett Haggerty, then Haggerty collected the next bunt for an out at first base to Mongold.
Hart dashed toward first base on a dropped third strike, but Ours threw him out and a passed ball steal attempt at home was denied with a tag by Ours.
Lane Ours was given a walk to start the fourth inning, then Strasburg’s Chase Hart came in to pitch.
After a steal, Moran singled and Van Meter was hit by a pitch to load the bases for Jake Ours.
Ours connected for a grand slam to elevate Moorefield to a 7-4 lead, the first of his career.
Baldwin grounded out and Haggerty flew out as Hart retired the side.
Van Meter made a great defensive stop and Watts stretched at first base for the out in the bottom of the fourth inning, then Chase Anderson caught a fly ball in left field and the inning ended on a groundout to Watts.
In the fifth inning, Anderson hit a leadoff laser single into left field.
Hoyt bunted as Anderson made a great move to second base and a throw was off the mark at third base creating a run with Hoyt advancing to second base.
Moran put runners on the corners with the help of an error, then Van Meter flew out to right field with no advancement.
Hoyt scored on a passed ball, then Watts notched an RBI single into center field to give the Yellow Jackets a 10-4 advantage before Jake Ours flew out near the fence.
Hoyt came in as the pitcher for Moorefield and allows a leadoff double to Strasburg’s Alec Campbell, then countered with a strikeout to Corey Keller.
A hit by King was fumbled by Van Meter allowing a run to score, then Sager smacked a grounder to Van Meter, who made the stop and didn’t collect the ball out of the dirt in time for a throw.
Van Meter fielded the ball cleanly the next time for a groundout off the bat of Miller.
Hart hit an RBI single to right field and there was a collision on the base path involving Moran at third base which wasn’t ruled an infraction as the Rams made it 10-6 before a groundout closed the frame.
Baldwin hit a leadoff single for the Yellow Jackets in the sixth inning and stole second base before Haggerty drew a walk and both advanced on a passed ball.
After a pop-out, Baldwin made a straight steal of home plate, 11-6.
Hoyt hit a sacrifice bunt, then Lane Ours was issued a walk before the Rams brought Brandon Sealock to pitch and created a fielder’s choice.
Van Meter pitched one inning for Moorefield, jamming the first two batters into pop-outs caught by Moran.
Kennedy’s hit took a wicked hop past the diving attempt of Moran, then the Rams got a single by Keller into left field which was collected by Haggerty throwing out the runner at third base with Baldwin making the tag.
In the top of the seventh inning, Van Meter hit a pop-up behind the plate and Rams catcher Corey Keller leaned up against the net before diving to the side to make the catch.
Watts was issued a walk by Sealock, then Jake Ours doubled to left field.
Baldwin was given a free pass which loaded the bases, then Haggerty hit an RBI sacrifice fly for a 12-6 lead.
Moorefield’s Thomas Williams hit into a fielder’s choice ending the side.
Baldwin closed the game on the mound starting with a strikeout.
The Rams recorded three consecutive singles by Sager, Miller and Hart with the latter collected at the fence by Ours and the throw back prevented a score.
Strasburg has the bases loaded for Harmon, who was hit by a pitch to plate one run.
Baldwin notched a second strikeout, then a pop-up by Shelton was initially caught on a dive by Baldwin only the ball slipped out when rolling and two runs came home for the Rams as Moran fired the ball away.
Van Meter sealed the win fielding a grounder as the Yellow Jackets won the opener 12-9 on the road.
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