Neshoba drops 2-0 pitchers' duel

By By Marty Stamper / EMG sports assistant
March 14, 2002
FOREST Neshoba Central's Taylor Petty and Pearl's Troy Fealko locked up in a dandy pitchers' duel Wednesday afternoon in the winners' bracket of the Forest Invitational Broiler Bash before the Pirates came away with a 2-0 win.
Fealko (2-1) finished with a two-hitter and struck out 11 Rockets. Petty (2-3) tossed a two-hitter and also fanned 11.
After two perfect innings by both pitchers to start the game, the defending Class 4A state champion Pirates got their first run in the top of the third. Joseph Torrence struck out, but reached first base on a wild pitch. After a single by Jason Stewart, both runners moved up on a passed ball. With one out, Petty picked a runner off second base for the second out. Chris Rash beat out an infield hit to the third base side, but Torrence had to stay at third, leaving runners at the corners with two outs.
Rash attempted to steal second, but Neshoba catcher Jacob Townsend's throw caused Rash to retreat to first where he stayed in a rundown long enough for Torrence to cross the plate.
The game's only other run came in the top of the fifth on a two-out solo homer to dead center field by Torrence.
For the game, Pearl had only five baserunners, while Neshoba had just three. Jud Byars singled in the bottom of the third, but was erased on a line drive double play to Pirate first baseman Grant Trotter. Townsend beat out an infield hit in the fifth and was the Rockets' only runner to reach second base when he moved up on an error on a pickoff attempt at first. Andy Smith drew a two-out walk in the sixth.
Neshoba, 8-5, returns to action Tuesday at Kosciusko.
Fealko had a lot to do with Neshoba's woes at the plate.
Newton County 15
Lake 0
The Cougars opened Wednesday morning's play with four runs in the bottom of the first, three in the second and third frames, and five more in the fourth.
Newton County's Tyler Hagan (1-2) tossed a four-hit shutout, striking out five and walking only one in the five-inning losers' bracket contest.
Mylan Anderson had two singles and a two-run homer for the Cougars, 7-6. Matthew Boggan had two singles and a double to drive in two runs. Colby Amis had three singles. Will Pearson added a pinch hit grand slam. Robby Carey had three RBIs and Josh Avant had a double. The Cougars did not commit an error.
Eric Watkins took the loss for Lake.
Philadelphia 11
Newton 3
Tyler Threadgill belted three home runs to lead the Tornadoes to the losers' bracket win.
Hunter Holley tossed a complete game to get the win as Philadelphia improved to 7-6.
Shay Grady also homered for the Tornadoes.
Newton dropped to 7-3. The Tigers' next game is Friday at home against Stringer.
Newton County 10
Philadelphia 6
The Cougars rallied from a 4-0 deficit to take the consolation championship.
Matthew Boggan started the comeback with a three-run homer in the bottom of the fourth. The Cougars added three more runs in the fifth to go up 6-4.
Philadelphia pulled even with a pair of runs in the top of the sixth.
Josh Avant singled in the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth with Robby Carey singling home a pair of insurance runs.
Carey had a pair of two-run singles for Newton County, 8-6. Boggan had a single and a three-run homer to plate four runs. Avant had three singles, while Daniel Grimes had two.
Jonathan Booker and Hunter Holley both had a pair of solo homers for Philadelphia, 7-7. Tyler Threadgill had a single and a double with Jerwarrick Hartzog adding a pair of doubles.
Jonathan Walker (3-0) tossed a complete game, striking out seven and not allowing a walk. The Cougars did not commit an error.
Cameron Tawater took the loss.
Newton County hosts Morton and Ackerman on Saturday, while Philadelphia travels to Southeast Lauderdale Tuesday for its next action.