The Big Sandy Wildcats were back on the diamond Tuesday night versus Spurger, looking for their third win in a row and their seventh district win. They would get it in a big way, ending the game in five innings, 10-0.
Big Sandy got on the scoreboard early. Leadoff batter Ezekiel Angel drew a walk, then promptly stole second base. A single to centerfield for Jasper Hardy brought Angel in to score. The Wildcats then loaded the bases, but couldn’t add runs.
Spurger had their best opportunity to score in the second inning, but could not capitalize. In the bottom half of the inning with two runners on, Big Sandy’s Conner Ratcliff picked up an RBI on a line drive to left, followed by a sacrifice fly by Jasper Hardy, then an RBI-double by Corbin Cude. After two innings the Wildcats were up 4-0.
Daniel Barker was hit by a pitch in the third and advanced to third on a single to left by Wyatt Lenox. Barker scored and Lenox reached third on a passed ball. Lev Cox drew a walk, then stole second base, followed by a balk that scored Lenox. Ratcliff got another RBI on single to left field that scored Cox. After three innings, the ‘Cats led 7-0.
The score remained until the fifth, when Big Sandy drew three walks to load the bases, followed another hit by pitch for Ratcliff that brought in a run. Hardy ended the game on a fielder’s choice that scored two more runs.
Big Sandy starting pitcher, Lenox, was impressive against the Pirates, pitching a one-hit shutout. He pitched all five frames, only throwing 55 total pitches. He gave up a walk while striking out two.
“It was definitely Wyatt’s best outing of the year,” Big Sandy head coach Kasey Glover said. “He was super efficient and pitched to soft contact. His defense played their tails off behind him. It was a great performance by the entire team.”
The Wildcats were swinging some hot bats. Cude went 2-for-3 with a double, an RBI, and a stolen base. Ratcliff went 1-for-3, was hit by a pitch, had two RBIs, a run, and a stolen base. Lenox went 1-for-1 with two walks and two runs.
Next week is pivotal for the Wildcats, playing the rival Evadale Rebels. Tuesday’s game is in Evadale and next Friday they return to Dallardsville.
