Late Inning Rally Lifts Monarchs Past Vikings 7–4

The Community Vikings (0-2) held the lead late, but a four-run sixth inning by the Middle Tennessee Monarchs proved to be the difference in a 7–4 loss on Wednesday.

Community outhit the Monarchs 9–7 on the day, but five defensive errors helped Middle Tennessee capitalize on key opportunities down the stretch. The Monarchs struck first in the opening inning when Wyatt Harrison delivered a single that brought home the game’s first run for a 1–0 lead.

Community answered in the top of the fourth inning. Masyn Hill drove in a run with a single before Isaiah Beech followed with a two-run double, giving the Vikings a 3–1 advantage. Middle Tennessee tied the game later in the inning after a Community error allowed a run to score, evening the contest at 3–3.

The Vikings regained the lead in the sixth when Tyler Wood lifted a sacrifice fly to put Community ahead 4–3. However, the Monarchs responded quickly in the bottom half of the inning. An error allowed the tying run to score before Jackson Whittimore delivered a two-run single to put Middle Tennessee back in front. Harrison later drew a bases-loaded walk to bring in another run and extend the lead to 7–4.

Sophomore Kade Hasty started on the mound for Community, allowing five hits and three runs — only one earned — over five innings while striking out six and walking two. Senior Isaiah Beech took the loss in relief, throwing one inning, allowing four unearned runs off of two hits, while striking out one and walking two.

Whittimore earned the win for the Monarchs after working six innings. He allowed eight hits and four runs while striking out five and walking two.

Community finished with nine hits in the game. Brody Armstrong, Masyn Hill, and Dylan Markum each collected two hits to lead the Vikings offensively. Beech drove in two runs, finishing 1-for-2 at the plate.

Community:  0-0-0-3-0-1-0  ——   4-9-5

MTM:               1-0-0-2-0-4-X ——    7-7-0

Game Note: Community was the visitor on the scoreboard despite playing the game at home.

Community:  Brody Armstrong 2-4, Dylan Markum 2-4, Maysn Hill 2-3, Isaiah Beech 1-2 (Double), Josh Powers 1-2, Wes Haley 1-3.

Losing Pitcher: Beech