Senior League Games Keep Fans on the Edge of Their Seats
by Chris Tramel
There were some close games played at Joe L. Evins Ballpark in Smithville last week, as DeKalb Youth Baseball’s Senior League continued their late season.
On Monday, June 7, the Wilson Bank Cubs took on the Southern Landscape Supply Yankees in a game that would come down to the fifth inning.
Jordan Parker started things off for the Cubs, taking first base after a walk and eventually finding his way across home plate. Later, Tyler Jackson would get on with a single, but would be left standing as the Yankees would get off the field.
Ty Webb reached on a single as the Yankees came up to the plate, followed by a single by Cam Caballero. Webb would make it to third, and Caballero to second, but that is far as the Yankees would get in the first.
After Conner McClure went down swinging for the Cubs at the top of the second, Carson Donnell reached on a single, and later stole his way to second. Afterwards, Luke Midgett would get on with a single of his own, while Donnell took third, then a balk by pitcher Caballero gave Donnell a walk across home plate, while Midgett took second. Parker would be struck out, but the Cubs were up, 2-0.
As the Yankees came up to bat at the bottom of the second, suddenly their bats got hot. Cesar Gaspar reached on a single, then Owen Snipes got on with an error. Nick Daw went down swinging, then Hunter Cantrell hit a double.
The Yankees weren’t done. Next, Carson Vinson was hit by a pitch, followed by a single by Webb. Up to bat next, Caballero hit a double, and would eventually find his way home. Gavin Cooper, Gaspar, and Snipes would all be left standing as the inning ended, but the Yankees had taken the lead, 6-2.
The Cubs would close the gap as they started off the third inning, with Ian Colwell getting on after being hit by a pitch, then Tyler Jackson would reach after an error by second base. Both runners would move their way around the bases to score, before Caballero could strike out the next three batters. The Cubs cut the lead, 6-4.
Unfortunately, that would be the last Gasp for the Cubs. Cantrell would reach on an error for the Yankees in the third, but Jackson would keep the next three batters to a three and out to end the inning.
Donnell would double for the Cubs in the fourth, while Westin Wright and Midgett each walked on, but they would not be able to convert to runs. The game would go on to the top of the fifth, but the Cubs couldn’t make it happen, giving the Yankees the 6-4 win.
Jackson took the loss for the Cubs on the mound. Caballero pitched for the Yankees, with Ty Webb taking over in the fourth.
That same evening, Ben Lomand Connect took on the C&S Farms Braves in a high scoring game that would be decided by just one run.
Leo Castaneda got things going for Connect in the first inning, taking first with a walk, followed by Corban Felton hitting a single. Braves pitcher Aiden Taylor would strike out the next two batters, then Lincoln Bates was walked. William Woodruff would be hit by a pitch next, with Castaneda scoring before Taylor would end Connects turn at bat.
The Braves would get on the board and take the lead at the bottom of the first. With two outs, Westin Wright walked, followed by Luke Midgett walking on. Next, Evan Prichard hit a double, followed by Bryson Arnold reaching off of an error. Aiden Taylor also walked, putting the Braves up 2-1 before the Yankees could get off the field.
Connect would tie the game at the top of the second, with Putnam Colwell scoring a run. Colwell reached on a fielder’s choice, then made his way home after a Felton single, and an Andrew Kay walk. The Braves would get off the field, but Connect had tied the game, 2-2.
As the Braves came up to the plate, they looked to put some distance in the game. Andy Shehane took first with a walk, then Hunter Cantrell reached on a single. Carson Donnell was hit by a pitch, then Wright was walked. Midgett walked next, while Wright was caught at second. Prichard reached on a fielder’s choice, then Aiden Taylor hit a single. By the end of the inning, the Braves had taken a 7-2 lead.
Connect was not going away however, and retook the lead at the top of the third. Prichard had taken over for the Braves on the mound, and Bates started with a double, then Woodruff was hit by a pitch. Then, Jordan Price, Matthew Randolph, and Colwell each walked on. Castaneda went down swinging, then Felton was walked, and Matthew Key walked. Westin Wright came in relief of Prichard for the Braves, but the damage was done. Connect had a 9-7 lead.
As the Braves came to the plate, they showed they could also put runs on the board. Shehane hit a single, then Cantrell reached on a fielder’s choice. Donnell was hit by a pitch, then Wright came up to the plate and hit a triple. The Braves came away with the come from behind win, 10-9.
