Philadelphia nips Newton Co.
By By Robby Atkinson / staff writer
March 18, 2004
DECATUR The Philadelphia Tornadoes had nothing but tough luck in the first two days of the 2004 East Central Community College Tournament.
The Tornadoes got just the break they were looking for on Wednesday as Philadelphia scored five unexpected runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take a surprising 8-7 win over Newton County in one of two consolation games.
Landon Gilmer delivered a game-winning three-run homer to give Philadelphia the win.
Bruce took a 14-5 win over Choctaw Central in the first consolation game of the day.
Philadelphia fought off walks and errors in the win, and according to head coach Barry Boler, the win couldn't have come at a better time.
The Cougars held the lead throughout much of the game and Newton County took the lead for the first time in the third inning on three runs. Bud Loper led the third inning off with a double and later scored on a wild pitch to give Newton County a 1-0 lead.
Philadelphia starting pitcher Dez Williams walked four batters that allowed two more runs to score and give Newton County a 3-0 lead. The Tornadoes were able to scratch for a run in the bottom of the third inning on a sacrifice fly by Jared Boler to cut the lead to 3-1.
Newton County continued to build its lead with two more runs in the fourth inning to take a 5-1 lead. Robert Westbrook led the inning off with a double and later scored on an RBI triple by Loper to make the score 4-1. Loper crossed the plate later in the inning on a double by Jared Cavenaugh to extend the lead to 5-1.
Philadelphia continued to fight back with two runs to make the score 5-3, with one of the runs scoring on an RBI single from Kip Turner. Newton County (7-8) appeared to seal the game with another pair of runs in the sixth off two droppped fly balls in the outfield.
Philadelphia (8-5) scored the final five runs of the game in the sixth that proved to be the difference.
Tunt Burnside started the inning with a double to left and Chas McLain followed by reaching first base on a hit by pitch.
Then came Gilmer's homer.
