Post Photos by Chris Siers Short stop Jordan Childress swipes the Richland base runner for the out at second on a perfect throw from catcher James Magee.
Senior starting pitcher Zach Crosslin delivers a first-inning strike against Richland on Thursday night.
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
BELL BUCKLE — On Tuesday night against Eagleville, Cascade (2-1) used a late-game rally to tie the game in the sixth, but ultimately fell on a three-run homer.
On Thursday, the Champs used another late-game rally, but this time held on to take a thrilling 8-7 win to complete the sweep of Richland.
Having fallen behind Richland 5-3 by the end of the fourth, Cascade played some opportunistic ball in the fifth.
After Richland (1-3) recorded the first two outs of the inning, Walker Craig and Logan Pulley both reached after savvy at-bats and reached via walks.
With two on and two out, Jayden Hathcock laced a line drive to left, but an error by Richland allowed Craig and Pulley to score, tying the game at five apiece.
Riding the momentum off the two-run fifth, reliever Sawyer Lovvorn sat the Raiders down in order in the sixth and it was again more savvy play at the plate and on the base paths that allowed Cascade to take the lead.
James Magee drew a leadoff walk and Logan Green was hit by a pitch, bringing Bryceton Bunch to the plate.
Bunch laid down a perfect bunt to third and safely reached to load the bases after the Raiders were unable to make a play at any of the bases.
With the bases loaded, Conner Melson followed with a second-straight bunt to squeeze home a run.
Richland then intentionally walked Jordan Childress to load the bases, who was then hit by a pitch to score a second Champion run of the inning.
Pulley later drove home a third run in the sixth on a RBI single, which ultimately was the game-winner.
Following the three-run Champion sixth, Richland inched ever so closer to retaking the lead.
Cooper Jackson was hit by a pitch and Colton Trimble mashed a blast over the center field fence, bringing Richland back within one run.
But even with the seventh-inning scare, Lovvorn settled in and recorded the final two outs to pick up the Champs’ second win of the week over Richland.
Craig, Childress and Hathcock all doubled in the win, and Logan Green homered in the bottom of the second.
Hathcock was 1-for-4 on the night with a pair of RBIs to his credit.
Senior Zach Crosslin got the start and went four innings, giving up five runs on seven hits before Lovvorn took over and pitched the final three innings in relief.
Lovvorn allowed two runs on two hits, while striking out four.
Cascade will be back on its home field on Friday evening, hosting the 2023 Class 1A runner up from a season ago, East Robertson.
First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m.
Richland 020 300 2 — 7 9 1
Cascade 210 023 x — 8 6 3
Cascade: Jordan Childress 1-for-3, Walker Craig 1-for-3, Logan Pulley 1-for-1, Jayden Hathcock 1-for-4, Logan Green 1-for-2, Bryceton Bunch 1-for-1.
WP: Lovvorn
LP: Andrews
