The Class A No. 8 Wildcats took an early lead clamping down on No. 4 Moorefield, but the Yellow Jackets broke free from the trap with five runs in the fourth inning en route to an 8-2 victory in the winner’s bracket final of the Class A Region II Section 2 Baseball tournament on Wednesday at George Hott Field.
Moorefield senior Garett Haggerty picked up the win tossing nine strikeouts on 97 pitches in six innings of work against Pendleton County, while closer Derek Hoyt earned the save with two strikeouts using 14 pitches.
“These guys were told early that this is a journey we’re on together and it’s not going to be easy. Nothing’s going to be easy, but our guys stayed focused,” Moorefield skipper Wade Armentrout remarked.
“We get a great pitching performance by Haggs [Garett Haggerty],a great senior to throw a ball out there and say hey we need you right now. We turned it over to [Derek] Hoyt who has been in that closing position all season long. They can do a lot of great things. The bats came alive in the middle part of the game and we finally got our timing down. We got a whole bunch of hits in a row and was able to get some runs he could work with a little bit. We’re on this journey and none of the games are going to be easy. Nobody wants to lose at this point in the year, so it takes a lot of heart and determination.”
Haggerty hurled back-to-back strikeouts to start the game coming against Pendleton County’s Addison Rexrode and Grant Evick.
The Wildcats (15-7) got a baserunners as Timothy Thorne reached on an error by Moorefield shortstop Isaac Van Meter and stole second base.
Haggerty issued a walk to Pendleton County’s Kole Puffenberger and Thomas Davis ripped an RBI single up the middle for the initial Wildcats lead at 1-nil with the side ending on a groundout by Joshua Wagoner to second baseman Brent Moran.
Pendleton County pitcher Kole Puffenberger, who also plays catcher, induced a groundout by Moorefield leadoff batter Brent Moran with a very close play at first base.
Haggerty was thrown out at first base on a dropped third strike, then Blake Watts smashed a double deep into left field for the Yellow Jackets (17-9) and advanced on a passed ball.
Watts attempted to steal home on a passed ball, but Puffenberger received the pass and made the tag during the slide by Watts to close the frame.
Pendleton County’s Jacob Lambert notched a single into center field to begin the second inning and remained at first base on a flyout by Kyle Kimble to Moorefield right fielder Thomas Williams.
Cameron Kisamore executed a sacrifice bunt to third baseman Hayden Baldwin moving Lambert over.
Rexrode connected for an RBI single into center field to put the Wildcats up 2-0.
Haggerty kept Rexrode in check at first base and finished the side with another strikeout to Evick.
Moorefield’s Jake Ours hopped on board with a walk from Puffenberger, then stole second base and advanced to third base on a groundout from Baldwin.
Van Meter launched an RBI sacrifice fly into left field to cut the deficit to 2-1 and the inning was over on a strikeout to Lane Ours.
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In the top of the third inning, Pendleton County’s Timothy Thorne hit a deep fly ball which was caught on the run by Moorefield left fielder Derek Hoyt, diving and rolling in the process holding on to the catch.
Puffenberger grounded out to Watts at first base before Davis drew a full-count walk and was stranded on a groundout by Wagoner.
Moorefield’s Matt Mongold swung on a third strike with the ball eluding the catcher and was thrown out at first base.
Williams flew out to right field prior to a walk given to Moran, who stole second base prior to being left aboard on a strikeout by Haggerty.
When the walk was issued, Moorefield super fan Larry Schoonover shouted ‘we love free bases’.
Lambert grounded out to Van Meter to commence the fourth inning and Kimble struck out.
Kisamore reached base on an error and Rexrode singled into right field to give the Wildcats two baserunners, but they failed to score as Evick flew out to Moorefield center fielder Jake Ours.
Watts drew a walk to get the rally started for the Yellow Jackets and stole around to third base on passed balls.
After a line drive by Jake Ours for the first out, Baldwin crushed the game-tying RBI double into center field, 2-all.
Van Meter jumped on base on an error by Thorne at shortstop and timeout was called by Pendleton County.
Moorefield’s Lane Ours delivered the go-ahead RBI double into right field giving the Yellow Jackets a 3-2 edge.
Mongold reached base on an error and plated a run as pitcher Puffenberger fumbled the ball and fell down, then couldn’t get up in time to race over to third base.
After a pop-out by Williams, Moorefield baserunner Caden Kimble slid across home plate on a passed ball to create a 4-2 lead.
Moran was given a walk and the chants on free bases continued as Rexrode came in to pitch for the Wildcats.
Moorefield’s Grant Keller hit an RBI single into left field to extend the advantage to 6-2 before a flyout by Watts ended the inning.
Thorne went down swinging on a dropped third strike with Moorefield catcher Lane Ours throwing to first base for the out.
Puffenberger hit over to Baldwin at third base and Watts stretched for the ball doing the splits, but the ball bounced out of the glove as the runner arrived.
Haggerty responded with a pair of strikeouts to Davis and Wagoner.
Moorefield started the bottom half with a double by Jake Ours which was aided by a wicked hop in right field.
Ours advanced on a passed ball and scored on Baldwin’s RBI single which skipped past the dive of Kisamore at second base.
Van Meter smacked a sharp grounder for a single which was stopped with a backhand by Pendleton County shortstop Timothy Thorne without a play to make.
Lane Ours recorded an RBI sacrifice fly to create an 8-2 lead for the Yellow Jackets.
Mongold hit into a fielder’s choice out as Kimble tagged Van Meter on the base path heading toward third base.
Williams was given a walk, then Davis replaced Rexrode on the mound for Pendleton County and Moran flew out.
Haggerty gave a free pass to Lambert in the sixth inning, then collected a groundout by Kimble and finished the side with two strikeouts to Kisamore and Rexrode.
Davis allowed a leadoff single by Haggerty into left field and walked Watts before Kisamore was brought to the mound.
Moorefield’s Jake Ours hit into a fielder’s choice out at third base and Baldwin flew out prior to Van Meter’s grounder being saved on a dive by Davis at first base getting back to the bag for the out.
Moorefield closer Derek Hoyt needed only 14 pitches to finish the game starting with a strikeout to Evick, then Thorne flew out to Jake Ours and Puffenberger struck out looking.
Pendleton County coach Sam Yokum refused to comment.
The Yellow Jackets sealed a seat in the Class A Region II Section 2 championship on Friday and will need just one more win for the title advancing to the Region II Championship.
East Hardy eliminated Tucker County 12-0 and will face Pendleton County in the next elimination game tomorrow with the winner playing Moorefield in the championship with two wins needed against the Yellow Jackets.
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