By Carl Holcomb
The Yellow Jackets ended March with a long awaited victory over Strasburg on the road.
The Rams ransacked George Hott Field with eight runs in the second inning creating a 12-1 advantage before going on cruise control for a 14-5 shellacking over Moorefield to even the series.
It wasn’t a fluke in Strasburg as the Yellow Jackets connected for 11 hits against three pitchers en route to a 7-4 win.
Strasburg utilized five different arms on the road to limit Moorefield to six hits.
Moorefield starting pitcher Cyrus Kump allowed a leadoff single to Strasburg’s Hough, then Reynolds tapped an RBI double for the initial lead 1-nil.
Sherman drew a walk, then Kump responded with a strikeout to Britton.
Kump beaned Dellinger and Knight garnered an RBI groundout back to Kump with a throw to first baseman Matthew Iman.
Gutierrez created a two-run producing single on a blooper over third base to put the Rams up 4-0.
After a walk, Moorefield left fielder Blake Snyder caught the third out.
Moorefield leadoff batter Edison Metheny smacked a sharp grounder into right field for a single and advanced on a sacrifice bunt by Zakk Kiplinger.
Oliver Crites put the Yellow Jackets on the board with an RBI groundout as the first baseman’s throw to third base went awry and Metheny dashed home, 4-1.
Trevor Baldwin drew a walk from Gutierrez, but left on the pond with a flyout by Snyder.
The Rams unleashed eight runs in the second inning starting with an RBI single by Sherman.
Dellinger recorded an RBI groundout and Knight smacked an RBI single on a shot to center field.
Strasburg continued the onslaught as Gutierrez connected for an RBI double and Barnes landed an RBI single for a 9-1 lead.
After a walk, Hough launched a three-run home run over the left field fence for a 12-1 score.
Kump issued another walk, then right fielder Caleb Flinn made a brilliant diving catch to retire the side.
Moorefield loaded the bases with one out as Davin Abreu was issued a free pass, Kail Greenwalt reached on an error and Kump smacked a single past third base.
Metheny smoked a two-run producing double as the Yellow Jackets chipped away at the deficit 12-3.
Kiplinger connected for an RBI groundout, 12-4.
Crites grounded out to end the frame.
Strasburg added one run in the third inning as Knight notched an RBI groundout.
Metheny pitched two strikeouts to retire the side.
Bowers induced three straight groundouts as the Yellow Jackets failed to get on the pond.
Metheny turned a double play from the mound moments after giving up a single, then Keplinger caught a fly ball in center field.
Kump and Greenwalt drew walks with one out in the fourth inning.
Metheny hit into a fielder’s choice out at second base.
Kiplinger plated one run on an RBI groundout, but it appeared he had just beat the throw by half a step and the umpire stood by the call ending the frame, 13-5.
Strasburg added one more run for a 14-5 win to even the series.
“It is much more difficult playing from behind, especially after giving up 12 runs in the first two innings. They are a good team and we just needed to stay focused and make the routine plays. We play teams like Strasburg to help make us better. We can learn from our mistakes. I thought our pitching calmed down and we were competitive the rest of the game,” Moorefield coach Wade Armentrout noted.
“These young men have been working hard and playing well together. They continue to grow everyday. They understand their role and do a great job taking care of the field after the game.”
