By Carl Holcomb
Moorefield Examiner
The Yellow Jackets danced to an early lead, then Strasburg crashed the prom party ramming forward for a 14-4 win at George Hott Field on Saturday afternoon.
Moorefield Baseball changed the game time to noon to provide extra time for the players to prepare for prom.
“Every game I go into, I expect it to be close and challenging. We played some different guys and rotated our pitchers more today. There were some guys that were in different positions than they were used to, but our kids stepped up and did a good job. We usually hit the ball really well and glad that it continued today,” Strasburg coach Eric Highstreet remarked.
Moorefield pitcher Kail Greenwalt commenced the game putting the Rams down in order with defensive assistance as a fly out was caught by center fielder Caleb Flinn, then third baseman Blake Snyder corralled a pop-up and groundout.
Strasburg pitcher Peyton Dean got defensive help as well with the center fielder catching a shot by Trevor Baldwin.
Greenwalt was issued a free pass and kept in check with a pickoff move.
The Yellow Jackets (2-15) came up empty as Dean threw a strikeout to Ben Watts and Oliver Crites flew out to right field.
The Rams (11-1) started the second inning with Jacob Britton reaching second base with the aide of an error in left field.
Moorefield responded with catches by outfielders Caleb Flinn and Shawn Reed.
Strasburg’s Brennan Barnes belted an RBI single into left fielder a 1-nil edge.
The Yellow Jackets retired the side as catcher Oliver Crites caught Barnes stealing with a tag by Baldwin.
Moorefield’s Davin Abreu hammered a ground rule double bouncing over the left field fence off new Rams pitcher Brayden Hough.
Abreu stole second base on a passed ball, then Snyder drew a walk to put runners on the corners.
Reed smacked a game tying RBI single into center field.
Flinn hit into a run scoring double play with a fielder’s choice tag and out at first base to give the Yellow Jackets a 2-1 edge and a groundout by Kump ended the frame.
Commencing the third inning, Greenwalt walked Strasburg’s Nate Turner.
A pitch bounced off Crites’ glove allowing Turner to advance.
Dean hit a blooper into right field for a single as the Rams now had runners on the corners.
After a fly out, Ryan Reynolds drew a walk to load the bases.
Strasburg’s Lucas Martinez delivered a two-run producing single into left field for a 3-2 lead.
The Rams kept the momentum going as Britton tapped an RBI single into left field.
Strasburg took a 6-2 advantage as Aiden Adkins crushed a two-RBI triple to the left field fence with the help of an error and slid safely into base.
Greenwalt issued a walk, thenBarnes made an RBI sacrifice bunt to extend the lead 7-2 before a groundout retired the side limiting further damage.
Strasburg’s third pitcher of the day was Jacob Britton, who issued a free pass to Baldwin.
After a balk, Greenwalt struck out on a check swing.
Watts was hit by a pitch, then Crites drew a walk to load the bases for Moorefield.
Abreu plated a run when beaned for a 7-3 score.
The Rams brought in a fourth pitcher who recorded a strikeout on Snyder.
Watts scored on a wild pitch to cut the deficit to 7-4, then the remaining runners were stranded on a groundout.
Greenwalt recorded a strikeout to begin the fourth inning, then the next batter flew out to Reed.
Reynolds ripped a double down the third base line for the Rams, but was stranded on a groundout fielded by Snyder to Kump.
After a strikeout to Flinn, Kump reached base on an error and Baldwin received a walk.
The Rams turned a double play off the bat of Greenwalt to end the inning.
In the top of the fifth inning, Strasburg’s Britton hammered a double into center field with a wicked hop.
Adkins reached base on an error with runners now on the corners.
Greenwalt hit the next batter with a pitch to load the bases for the Rams.
Britton scored on a passed ball, then Turner was given a walk.
Dean plated a run with an error in right field, but Watts recovered to fire an out at second base.
Strasburg scored two runs on a double for an 11-4 lead.
Another batter was beaned, then the Rams created a 13-4 lead on a two-RBI single.
Snyder came in to pitch for the Yellow Jackets and Britton was awarded first base on catcher interference.
The Rams got back to back singles with the former creating a 14-4 advantage before a fly out ended the side.
Watts was issued a free pass by another Rams pitcher, then Crites hit into a double play and Abreu flew out in center field as Strasburg completed the season sweep 14-4 in five innings.
“We have had some really good pitching outings, especially recently. Our guys are building up their innings and it is starting to look better. They are throwing strikes and spotting the ball well. We have been really focused and our practices have been good and we are playing great competition. We are starting to play more games and putting guys in competitive moments, so they can build confidence. We just need to probably get a couple outs before we get into those situations (bases loaded). Those are good situations to be in this time of year,” Moorefield coach Wade Armentrout concluded.
