Clutch victory sparks 4-win week for Bobcats
Photo by Bart Moss
The Bobcats notched four wins last week in superior play on the diamond.
By Bart Moss for the FCT
Phil Campbell baseball Coach Jonathan Raper couldn’t have asked for more out of his team than what he got last week. The Bobcats got four wins over top caliber competition in Winfield, Hamilton, Rogers and Deshler.
“We played some good baseball last week,” said Raper. “We had some timely hitting. We played good defense except for a couple of players early on against Winfield. Our kids played really hard.”
One thing that really excites Raper is the team play his team seems to be developing.
“We had a different kid come through for us every day,” said Raper. “Everybody is playing a part in the success. It shows our guys that they don’t have to rely on just one or two people to get a win. They don’t have to wait on someone else to get a hit or make a big play. They all have the confidence they can do it … Hopefully we can continue that on into the season.”
Raper also said he believes his team’s maturity is playing a role as well.
“These guys have been with me for a long time,” Raper said. “I don’t need to throw a fit to get their attention. The know what is expected of them. They know what it takes to win. They show up kind of business-like, expecting to get things done. That’s experience.”
Phil Campbell 4, Deshler 3
The Phil Campbell Bobcats (6-1) defeated the Deshler Tigers 4-3 Saturday thanks to a walk-off single. The Bobcats trailed 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh inning when Gage Roberson singled off of Tiger pitching, driving in one run.
Deshler captured the lead in the second inning.
Brandon Thomas earned the win for the Bobcats. He went one inning, giving up no runs, one hit and no walks.
Nate Owens started the game for Phil Campbell. He pitched six innings, surrendering three runs and five hits and striking out four.
Roberson, Nick Taylor and Mike Wrona each drove in one run to lead Phil Campbell.
Phil Campbell 8, Rogers 6
The Phil Campbell Bobcats built a seven-run lead in the fifth inning and then held off the Rogers Pirates comeback for an 8-6 victory Saturday. Rogers scored five runs in the failed comeback in the fifth inning.
Both teams were strong at the plate, as both Phil Campbell and Rogers collected six hits each.
Rogers captured the lead in the second inning, scoring one run on a two-out single. Phil Campbell took the lead for good with two runs in the third inning. In the third there was a Pirate error, scoring two Bobcats.
Phil Campbell scored four runs in the fourth inning. The Bobcats’ big inning was driven by a stolen base, a single by Gage Roberson and a walk by Colby Baker.
Rogers scored three runs in the fifth inning, thanks to a fielder’s choice and a wild pitch.
Hayden Copeland earned the win for Phil Campbell. He pitched five innings, giving up four runs and three hits and striking out five batters. Chase Hutchens pitched one inning, helping the Bobcats finish off the victory. Hutchens recorded the last three outs to earn the save for Phil Campbell.
Mike Wrona and Nick Swinney led the way at the plate, collecting two hits each.
Phil Campbell 8, Hamilton 2
The Phil Campbell Bobcats defeated the Hamilton Aggies 8-2 thanks to a strong start.
The Bobcats secured the win with five runs in the second inning. Phil Campbell scored on a single by Mike Wrona, a double by Nick Taylor and a home run by Peyton Thomas.
Hamilton captured the lead in the first inning on a wild pitch. After the Aggies scored one run in the top of the third, the Bobcats answered with one of their own. Hamilton scored on a single off Thomas, driving in one run. Phil Campbell answered scoring one run on an Aggie error.
The Bobcats took the lead for good with five runs in the second inning. Wrona singled, driving in one run. Taylor doubled off, driving in another run before a three-run homer by Thomas.
Thomas earned the win for the Bobcats. He threw six and two-thirds innings, allowing two runs and six hits and striking out ten.
Phil Campbell racked up 11 hits. Wrona, Thomas and Colby Baker each collected multiple hits for the Bobcats. Thomas went 2-for-4 at the plate as he led the team with three runs batted in.
Phil Campbell 9, Winfield 4
The Phil Campbell Bobcats and the Winfield Pirates traded the lead back-and-forth Thursday, but eventually the Bobcats prevailed 9-4. Phil Campbell took the lead for good in the sixth inning. The game was tied at four with the Bobcats batting in the bottom of the sixth when Gage Roberson singled, driving in two runs.
Nick Swinney earned the win for Phil Campbell. He pitched five innings, allowing two runs and four hits and striking out eight batters.
The Bobcats had ten hits in the game. Peyton Thomas and Colby Baker each had multiple hits for Phil Campbell. Baker led the Bobcats with four runs batted in. He went 2-for-4 on the day, including a line-drive home run to left-centerfield in the sixth inning to secure the win.
