Jim Walker

jim.walker@irontontribune.com

 

PORTSMOUTH — You should have seen the one that got away.

The St. Joseph Flyers gave up a run in the bottom of the eighth inning as they lost 7-6 to the Portsmouth Notre Dame Titans on Wednesday.

The Flyers went up 6-4 in the seventh but the Titans tied the game in the bottom of the inning before getting the win.

“We gave it away, but I’m glad we battled the way we did. We got behind and came back,” said Flyers’ coach Brent Wirzfeld.

“We got good pitching from the two freshmen. We just couldn’t make the plays at the end.”

St. Joseph (8-7) took the lead in the seventh when Chris Lewis singled and stole second. Daniel Davidson reached on a fielder’s choice and stole second. Zack Kelly was then walked intentionally.

Jacob Clark delivered a two-run singled and it was 6-4.

After tying the game, the Titans got an unearned run in the eighth.

An error put the Titans’ leadoff runner on base and Tyler Speas doubled. Tyson Montgomery was walked intentionally to load the bases and Chase Rodriguez squeeze bunt attempt failed.

Michael Collins then struck out but a throwing error on the play allowed the winning run to score.

The Flyers got a run in the first on singles by Zac McGraw and Peyton Adkins, a walk to Cole Willis and Lewis’ double play ball.

St. Joseph got a run in the second when Chase Walters reached on an error, Trey Young singled, Seth Kelley put down a sacrifice and Clark had an RBI single.

Notre Dame scored four runs in the third inning to take the lead, but the Flyers tied the game in the fifth.

Adkins and Willis singled, Lewis was safe on an error, Davidson singled in a run and a passed ball scored Willis.

Clark went 3-for-4 with a double and three runs batted in. Adkins was 2-4 as the Flyers had 10 hits.

St. Joseph will play Racine Southern at noon on Saturday at Coal Grove in the Division IV sectional tournament.

St. Joseph 110 020 20 = 6 10 3

Notre Dame 004 000 21 = 7 13 3

Chase Walters, Clay Willis (4), Peyton Adkins (7) and Gage Butler. Drew Cassidy, Michael Collins (5) and Sam Kayser. W-Collins (IP-3.2, K-5, BB-2). Cassidy (IP-4.1, K-4, BB-2). L-Adkins (IP-1.2, K-1, BB-1). Walters (IP-3, K-0, BB-3). Willis (IP-3, K-4, BB-2). Hitting—SJ: Zac McGraw 1-5, Peyton Adkins 2-4, Cole Willis 1-3, Chris Lewis 1-5, Daniel Davidson 1-4 rbi, Trey Young 1-3, Jacob Clark 3-4 rbi-3 2B; PND: C.J. Corns 2-5, Drew Cassidy 2-4, Michael Collins 1-3, Hayden Baker 1-4, Tyler Speas 2-5, Tyson Montgomery 1-4, Chase Rodriguez 2-3, Sam Kayser 1-2, Grant Sparks 1-2.