Post Photo by Chris Siers Zach Crosslin pitched six innings for Cascade and gave up just one run on three hits, while striking out eight.
Post Photo by Chris Siers Viking starter Wesley Haley also pitched well, striking out seven batters over four innings on the bump.
Post Photo by Chris Siers Community senior center fielder Maki Fleming tracks a fly ball and records the out.
Post Photo by Chris Siers Logan Pulley connects on a RBI double and drives home the first run of the game in the top of the fourth inning.
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountysports.com
UNIONVILLE — Zach Crosslin pitched six strong innings and the Cascade lineup backed his start with timely hitting as the Champions (10-5, 3-1) finished the sweep of county rival Community (8-8, 0-2), 8-1, on Saturday afternoon.
Crosslin’s counterpart, freshman Wesley Haley, also pitched well as the two settled into a quality pitcher’s duel for the first three innings.
Through three, both teams managed just two baserunners.
In the top of the fourth, Logan Green connected on a one-out single to right and then scored off a Logan Pulley double to left.
A Community error allowed Cascade to plate a second run of the inning.
Although Cascade got two more singles in the inning from Conner Melson and Isaac Winton, Haley was able to record the third out to strand two Champion runners on base.
Community had a chance to take the lead in the bottom of the inning and loaded the bases with back-to-back singles by James Harris and Hayden Davis before Nic Evans drew a walk.
With the bases loaded and nobody out, Kaleb Maillet hit a sac-fly to left, scoring the first and only Viking run of the game.
While Community still threatened with runners in scoring position, Crosslin settled in and recorded a ground out before fanning Isaac Beech for the final out of the inning to dodge the jam.
Cascade then took advantage of a handful of Viking miscues in the fifth and put the first two runners on base via walk and hit batter before an error allowed Jordan Childress to score.
A sac-fly by James Magee brought home another run and during the same play, another Community error scored Green to give the Champs a 5-0 lead.
Cascade took advantage of another error in the top of the sixth and added another run from Childress before Magee and Wickey Parker both connected on RBI singles in the top of the seventh for the final runs of the night.
Magee led the Champs, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs, while Green also went 2-for-3 with a RBI as well.
Crosslin was stellar in six innings, allowing just one run on three hits while striking out eight batters.
Haley pitched well and gave up four runs on five hits while striking out seven batters.
At the plate, Elijah Westbrooks, Harris, Davis and Beech all connected on base hits.
Community will look to right the ship on Monday against Grundy County and pick up the first District 9-AA win of the season, while Cascade will host Rocket City (Ala.).
Cascade 000 231 2 — 8 9 0
Community 000 100 0 — 1 4 5
Cascade: Logan Green 2-for-3, Logan Pulley 1-for-3, James Magee 2-for-3, Isaac Winton 1-for-3, Conner Melson 2-for-4, Wickey Parker 1-for-4.
Community: Elijah Westbrooks 1-for-3, James Harris 1-for-2, Hayden Davis 1-for-3, Isaiah Beech 1-for-3.
WP: Crosslin
LP: Haley
