West Jones grabs close win over Northeast Lauderdale
By By Ryan Satcher / staff writer
March 5, 2003
In a game with many missed opportunities, the West Jones Mustangs scored a run in the top of the seventh inning to take a 3-2 victory over Northeast Lauderdale on Tuesday night.
The Mustangs scored three unearned runs to take the district contest over the Trojans.
Jonathan Blakeney, Jake Ray and Trey Sutton combined to hold Northeast to four hits on the night.
Drew Anderson was the tough-luck loser for the Trojans, as he gave up only one hit on the night.
Walks and an early error hurt Anderson and allowed the Mustangs to improve to 4-1 on the year and 3-0 in district play.
The Trojans didn't get off to a good start. Anderson hit the Mustangs' Britt Barefoot to start the game and walked Trey Sutton.
After getting two outs, Barefoot broke for third on a steal attempt. The throw to third went into the outfield and past the left fielder to allow both Barefoot and Sutton to score for a 2-0 advantage.
Northeast came back to put a run on the scoreboard in its half of the first inning.
Ryan Stewart singled and moved to second on a groundout by Cory Chance. Anderson followed with a RBI single to cut Northeast's deficit 2-1.
The Trojans left two runners on after having men on first and second with just one out.
West Jones got two runners on in the second, but bad execution closed out the inning for the Mustangs.
Northeast got a fielder's choice at third on a bunt than picked off a runner at first and got a strikeout to get out of the inning.
The Mustangs loaded the bases in the third inning with just one out and again the Trojans got out of the inning.
Anderson struck out a batter, and Jason Pritchett made a great play behind the bag at second on Tim Hilton's ground ball to get the Trojans out of the jam.
Northeast left a runner at second base in the third inning, and the Mustangs did the same in the top of the fourth.
The Trojans finally tied the game in the bottom of the fourth.
Nathan Peden walked and moved to third on a double by Chad Brunson. After a walk, Drew Siciliano brought in Peden with a ground out to tie the game at two.
Ray struck out the next Northeast hitter to leave runners at second and third.
Both teams had runners on second and third in the fifth inning, but pitching got each team out of the inning.
West Jones finally got back the lead in the top of the seventh inning. Barefoot walked and moved to second on a wild pick-off throw.
After moving to third on a ground out, Barefoot scored on a passed ball to give the Mustangs a 3-2 lead.
Northeast got two runners on base with just one out in the bottom of the seventh, but Sutton struck out the final two batters to pick up the 3-2 win.
Northeast drops to 5-1 on the year and 2-1 in district.
The Trojans will travel to Northeast Jones on Friday. West Jones will play Northwest Rankin on Friday.
