It was a scoreless game through five innings, then Berkeley Springs drenched the Yellow Jackets for six runs in the sixth inning en route to a 7-2 win to wash out senior night.
Moorefield Baseball honored its senior duo prior to the game with a special ceremony: Dylan Colasessano and Ben Watts.
Colasessano made state tournament appearances for golf, wrestling and baseball during his career.
Colasessano plans to work for his step-father Justin Dunn, who owns Highland Excavating and Grading, LLC.
Colasessano contributed two hits and a run for the Yellow Jackets against Berkeley Springs.
Watts is a member of the National Honor Society and played two sports, football and baseball.
Watts plans to attend West Virginia University to earn a degree in Civil Engineering.
Watts hammered a triple for Moorefield against the Indians and received a walk.
“Kail pitched really well for six innings, but we just have to finish those opportunities. We want to be playing our best at this time of the season. Competition has been good and it forces us to play well and eliminate mistakes,” Moorefield Baseball coach Wade Armentrout remarked.
“I appreciate the seniors, Ben and Dylan have been great contributors to our program. They are dedicated players and I appreciate what they have done for us. I am glad to have them as seniors and glad to have them as a part of our tradition of baseball in Moorefield. They are good young men and I appreciate what they do on and off the field. They are great representatives of our program and the community. It will be great to see them as they continue their careers and schooling after high school.”
Moorefield pitcher Kail Greenwalt kept the Golden Tornado off-balanced with four strikeouts and defensive help through six innings of work on the mound, but the Indians were able to find a way to score as errors crept up in the sixth inning to take the lead.
Moorefield closed the first inning with a double play by third baseman Blake Snyder.
Oliver Crites smashed a triple with two outs into center field, but failed to score as Berkeley Springs pitcher Moore recorded a strikeout to Watts.
McCumbee reached base on an error for the Indians in the second inning and stole second base before a groundout and strikeout, then was caught stealing home by Greenwalt and catcher Cyrus Kump.
Snyder grounded out, then Gage Wolfe was hit by a pitch and stole around to third base before Shawn Reed was issued a walk.
Wolfe was caught stealing home moments before a strikeout to Caleb Flinn ended the frame.
The Indians’ Shifflett and Maconaughey hit back-to-back singles, then Groves grounded out and Moorefield second baseman Oliver Crites turned a double play.
Colasessano garnered a single on a sharp grounder up the middle, then Trevor Baldwin flew out.
Berkeley Springs made sure Colasessano would need laundry work with three pickoff dives back to first base, then Colasessano advanced on a wild pitch.
Greenwalt executed a sacrifice groundout putting Colasessano at third base, but the Yellow Jackets failed to capitalize as Crites popped out.
Berkeley Springs came up empty in the fourth inning as Greenwalt hurled two strikeouts and induced a groundout.
Watts obliterated the ball for a triple as the Yellow Jacket looked poised to sting.
However, Moore countered with two strikeouts and induced a groundout to prevent a run.
The Indians couldn’t get on base in the fifth inning as Baldwin caught a pop-up, then Greenwalt tossed a strikeout and Crites made a leaping catch.
Flinn received a free pass for Moorefield and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Colasessano.
Baldwin connected for a single, but Flinn was thrown out at third base before Baldwin was caught stealing by catcher Maconaughey.
Maconaughey opened the sixth inning with a single and remained there on a bunt out by catcher Cyrus Kump.
Rankin was given a walk after a steal, then Moore smacked a two-run producing double into left field to put Berkeley Springs ahead 2-nil.
Miller followed with an RBI double in the same direction, then three errors enabled the Indians to tack on three more runs for a 6-0 advantage.
Greenwalt singled for Moorefield and Crites got on base with an error, then Watts was issued a free pass to load the bases.
The runners were stranded on a pop-up and two strikeouts.
McCumbee added an RBI single for the Indians in the seventh inning for a 7-0 cushion.
The Yellow Jackets refused to quit as a bunt by Flinn turned into a double and the momentum continued as Colasessano delivered a single to put runners on the corners.
A groundout by Baldwin advanced Colasessano, but Flinn was held in check.
Moorefield’s Zeke Eye notched an RBI groundout to cut the deficit to 7-1.
Crites followed with an RBI single on a sharp grounder into right field for a 7-2 final score.
Berkeley Springs washed senior night, but the Yellow Jackets still had fun celebrating the senior duo.
Moorefield closed out the regular season with losses to Musselman 13-3 and Elkins 11-10 for an overall record of 4-21 on the year.
The Yellow Jackets had one huge highlight by senior Ben Watts smashing a grand slam against the Tigers in the final inning to close the gap too 11-10.
Moorefield started the Class AA Region II Section 2 playoffs on Monday at South Harrison.
