The First Presbyterian Highlanders and Citizen Christian Academy slugged it out at Liberty field Thursday afternoon. The local boys lost by three runs (17-20).
Citizen's Christian jumped out to an early lead with 2 runs in the top of the first but the Highlanders responded with 3 of their own in their first at bat with hits by Griffin Larkin and Kyle Haggler.
The second inning started off with more runs by Citizen sending two more runners across the plate. Once again the Highlanders responded with three runs and kept a two-point lead.
The bats and runs settled a little in the third inning with Citizen scoring two more and the Highlanders scoring one to maintain a one point lead (7-6). Citizen Christian tied the game in the fourth with a run and then stopped the Highlander with a quick three and out.
Citizen decided to come out swinging in the fifth and took the lead with five runs. The highlanders were able to bring in only one run and trailed by four (8-12).
The sixth inning found the Highlanders struggling with errors, allowing Citizen to score seven more runs (7-19). However, Larkin led off a Highlander rally with a double in the bottom of the sixth. This led to 5 more runs making it 13-19.
Citizen added one more run in the seventh and the Highlanders attempted to cath up with hits by Rickey Gilliard, Haggler and Carson Smith. When the dust settled the Highlanders had posted 4 more runs, but fell short by a final score of 17-20
Tyler Corey pitched 5 strong innings for the Highlanders. Matt Brown, who had a good performance, relieved him.
"I was very happy with our performance at the plate," coach Joey Brown said. "We have made a lot of progress in that area. We still have a few holes to fill in the error department but I've said it before, these guys don't quit. We also played without a couple of our starters due to various reasons. Hopefully we'll be at full speed for the region play-offs."
The Highlanders were scheduled to travel to Louisville to play Thomas Jefferson on Friday.
Leading hitters
Griffin Larkin 3-3 and scored 4 times
Tyler Corey 3-4 and scored 2 runs
Kyle Haggler 3-4 and scored 3 runs
Carson Smith 3-4 and scored 2 runs
Citizen's Christian jumped out to an early lead with 2 runs in the top of the first but the Highlanders responded with 3 of their own in their first at bat with hits by Griffin Larkin and Kyle Haggler.
The second inning started off with more runs by Citizen sending two more runners across the plate. Once again the Highlanders responded with three runs and kept a two-point lead.
The bats and runs settled a little in the third inning with Citizen scoring two more and the Highlanders scoring one to maintain a one point lead (7-6). Citizen Christian tied the game in the fourth with a run and then stopped the Highlander with a quick three and out.
Citizen decided to come out swinging in the fifth and took the lead with five runs. The highlanders were able to bring in only one run and trailed by four (8-12).
The sixth inning found the Highlanders struggling with errors, allowing Citizen to score seven more runs (7-19). However, Larkin led off a Highlander rally with a double in the bottom of the sixth. This led to 5 more runs making it 13-19.
Citizen added one more run in the seventh and the Highlanders attempted to cath up with hits by Rickey Gilliard, Haggler and Carson Smith. When the dust settled the Highlanders had posted 4 more runs, but fell short by a final score of 17-20
Tyler Corey pitched 5 strong innings for the Highlanders. Matt Brown, who had a good performance, relieved him.
"I was very happy with our performance at the plate," coach Joey Brown said. "We have made a lot of progress in that area. We still have a few holes to fill in the error department but I've said it before, these guys don't quit. We also played without a couple of our starters due to various reasons. Hopefully we'll be at full speed for the region play-offs."
The Highlanders were scheduled to travel to Louisville to play Thomas Jefferson on Friday.
Leading hitters
Griffin Larkin 3-3 and scored 4 times
Tyler Corey 3-4 and scored 2 runs
Kyle Haggler 3-4 and scored 3 runs
Carson Smith 3-4 and scored 2 runs