Thrilling Walk-Off Win for Bethel Trojans over Eastern Christian
In a thrilling walk-off victory, the Bethel Christian Academy Trojans (4-2, 2-0) edged out Eastern Christian (4-3) with a 9-8 win in Friday's game. The tense match reached its climax in the bottom of the eighth inning when the score was tied at eight, and Jamey Williams' line drive drove in the winning run for the Trojans.
Both teams showcased impressive offense, with the Trojans accumulating eight hits and Eastern Christian registering seven. Eastern Christian gained an early advantage in the second inning when Ryan Ange's double on a 1-0 count scored two runs.
However, the Trojans fought back, leveling the score at eight in the fourth inning as Williams' single on the first pitch brought in two more runs. Jason Turnage, Mckinnon Wade, Alex Hill, Cooper Williams, and Zack Harrison all helped the Trojans score five runs in the second inning.
A fielding error on a ball that Will Dunham put into play and Ange's double were the catalysts for Eastern Christian's four runs in the second inning.
Brayden Cash played a crucial role in the Trojans' victory, pitching three innings and allowing zero runs on one hit while striking out one. Cash said, "It felt great out there. That is probably the best game I have pitched. There was a lot of energy in the dugout. I was just excited I could come in clutch for my team."
Avery Martin took the loss for Eastern Christian, allowing three hits and three runs over four and a third innings while striking out six.
Starting pitchers for the game were Will Dunham for Eastern Christian and Cooper Williams for the Trojans. Dunham allowed six runs on five hits over three innings, striking out one and walking one. Williams allowed eight runs on six hits over five innings, striking out eight.
The Trojans' offense totaled eight hits, with Wade and Williams each contributing multiple hits. Both players led the Trojans with two hits each.
Bethel coach Kenny Sutton commented, "Offensively, we were a lot better this game. That is a very solid team over there that we just played. They made some mistakes, we made some mistakes, and that's going to happen. That is baseball."
Eastern Christian tallied seven hits, with Zack Rogers and Ange each registering multiple hits.
The Bethel Trojans' next game will be at home on Monday, March 27th, against Wayne Preparatory Academy (0-4).
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