Coastal Plain High Point-Thomasville HiToms

Post 87 HiToms Outlast Cary 11-7

Published on July 22, 2011 under Coastal Plain League (Coastal Plain)
High Point-Thomasville HiToms News Release


Morehead City, NC - Scoring nine of their 10 runs with two outs, the Post 87 HiToms outpaced Post 67 from Cary for an 11-7 first round win in the North Carolina State American Legion tournament at Big Rock Stadium in Morehead City.

"It wasn't the greatest defensive effort, and we even allowed some extra baserunners, but we made the key defensive plays when we needed too to preserve the win," Post 87 Head Coach Rob Shore said. "I was very pleased with our offense, and I feel like when we score 11 runs that it's enough to win."

The Post 87 HiToms started their rally in the bottom of the third by stringing together five hits and producing five runs. Chris Ferrante ignited the HiToms comeback with a two-out double to left-centerfield. High Point Christian outfielder Jonathan Bethea followed with an RBI single to center to even the score. Southwest Guilford stars Andrew Madden and Cody Sickmiller loaded the bases with consecutive singles setting the stage for a two run single by Ledford graduate Victor Zecca. Leading 4-1, former High Point Central star Houston Ison laced a single to centerfield to plate Zecca and secure a 5-1 HiToms lead.

Cary erased the four-run Post 87 HiToms lead in top of the third on the strength of three singles and a two-out, grand slam by UNC-Pembroke third baseman Stephen McKinney. The tie ballgame didn't last long for Cary Post 67 as the Post 87 HiToms launched another four-run outburst in the bottom-half of the fourth. A one-out single by former Ragsdale star Desean Anderson jump started the HiToms as Bethea moved Anderson to third on a two-base error by Cary second baseman Chris Williams. Cary continued their mistake-filled fourth when catcher Anthony Colontino allowed a pass ball to pave the way for Anderson to scamper home.

Post 87 HiToms' two-out, fourth inning magic continued as Sickmiller collected his second hit of the day by belting a three-run home run over the Big Rock Stadium left-field scoreboard for a 9-5 Post 87 fourth inning lead.

"It was a first pitch fastball that I just went up there and tried to hit the ball solid," Sickmiller said. "We have a strong team that has a goal, state championship" The HiToms extended the lead in the seventh when Zecca drew a one-out walk and Anderson laced a one-out single to extend the HiToms lead to 10-5.

"The third inning was huge for us because we scored five runs and then they returned the favor the next inning and then we answered again," Desean Anderson said. "We were very resilient on offense by battling with two-strikes and not striking out."

High Point Christian senior Tyler Briitton relieved winning pitcher Sean Geoghan in the sixth and stymied the Post 67's for three innings limiting the Cary squad to two runs on four hits. However, like the two previous top inning frames, the Post 87 HiToms answered back when Jonathan Bethea cracked a two-run double to left-center field to lead off the seventh.

"He threw me a first pitch fastball up and away and I just went with it," Jonathan Bethea said. "Our offense was very good today and we made them make plays. It's much better to put the ball in play and force the issue than strike out."

Madden continued his hot streak Friday when the outfielder from Southwest lasered a ball off the glove of Cary shortstop David Hamm to score Bethea from second and increase the HiToms lead to 11-7. "I was seeing the ball really good today and I was just trying to hit the ball up the middle," Madden said. "We swung it well today and just cut down on our strike-outs enough to produce clutch hits. It's exciting to get the first win out of the way and build for the rest of the tourney."

Gardener-Webb freshman Andrew Barnett closed the game in the ninth allowing one hit, one walk and no runs.

With the win, the Post 87 HiToms advance to the second round for a 7:30 p.m. showdown versus the winner of the Morehead City Post46/Cherryville Post 100 Friday night contest.

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Coastal Plain League Stories from July 22, 2011


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