YSE File Photo
The Madisonville-North Hopkins Maroons are starting to get on a roll. In a rollercoaster game of momentum, the Maroons scored three runs in the top of the ninth to defeat the Ohio County Eagles 7-4. The win is the fourth straight for the Maroons.
The Maroons struck first in the top of the first. Ryder Sandidge reached on an error, stole second, then third, and scored on an another Ohio County error as Madisonville took a 1-0 lead.
The Eagles came back in the bottom of the second. A series of walks and wild pitches set up a two-run single by Landon Hiner and an RBI double by Nolan Baize, as the Eagles fought back to take a 3-1 lead.
Ohio County extended the lead to 4-1 in the third inning with an RBI single from Owen McConnell.
The Maroons then began their comeback in the top of the fourth. Lane Faulk singled, Alex Richards doubled, and Gauge Clark singled, driving in a run to cut the lead to 4-2. Jaziyon Latham grounded into a fielder’s choice, plating another run, and Evan Wilson then singled to tie the game at 4-4.
The middle innings were a pitching duel between the two teams, with Jayce Weaver taking the mound for the Maroons and silencing the Eagles’ bats. Weaver pitched four scoreless innings, allowing only two hits and striking out two.
The game remained tied until the top of the ninth inning. The Maroons’ game-winning rally got started as Gauge Clark singled, Brayden Lynch reached on an error, and Jaziyon Latham laid down a sacrifice bunt to score Clark. Wilson then delivered a clutch double, giving the Maroons a 6-4 lead. Sandidge followed with a single, and a passed ball then allowed Evan Wilson to score, pushing the lead to 7-4.
Matthew Yates came in to close out the game in the bottom of the ninth on the mound for the Maroons.
Evan Wilson led the Maroons with two hits and two RBIs, including the big ninth-inning double. Gauge Clark also had a strong effort, with two hits and two runs scored. Ryder Sandidge contributed two hits and two stolen bases. He now leads the team in steals with 15.
On the mound, Weaver’s relief appearance was a key to the Maroon victory. He earned the win, his second of the season, pitching four scoreless innings and allowing just two hits. Brantley Harris started the game for the Maroons, pitching four innings and allowing four runs.
For the Eagles, Landon Hiner had a big game at the plate, collecting two hits and driving in two runs. Parker Westerfield also had two hits, including a double.
With the win, Madisonville now improves to 8-6 on the season.
