Kaleb Maillet pitched a three-hit gem against Cascade on Wednesday to take the win on the mound. He went 6 2/3 innings and allowed just two runs while striking out eight batters. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
By CHRIS SIERS
csiers@bedfordcountypost.com
BELL BUCKLE — Kaleb Mailett pitched into the seventh inning and out-dueled an arsenal of four champion pitchers to take the win as Community split the district series against Cascade with Wednesday night’s 3-2 win.
Mailett was spectacular for the Vikings, going 6 2/3 innings, allowing two runs on three hits while striking out eight.
Mailett fought hard for the complete game, but gave up a pair of two-out walks, the latter of which allowed Cascade to pull within one run in the bottom of the seventh.
Needing a fresh arm out of the bullpen, Viking coach Robbie Davis turned to Logan Reed to get the final out—and that’s just what he did.
After a lengthy battle with Cascade’s Thomas Demartelaere, Reed finally got the upper hand and struck out the Champion catcher fo
Jordan Childress delivers a pitch in the first inning. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
r the final out.
Community threatened with a leadoff walk and a base hit from Elijah Westbrooks and eventually moved Wes Haley into scoring position, but Cascade worked out of the jam and backed starter Jordan Childress with a 5-4-3 double play to end the Viking threat.
Community again put a runner on third in the second, but again was unable to get the necessary two-out hit to bring a runner home.
Cascade eventually broke the scoreless stalemate when Caleb Crouch singled a ground ball to center field, scoring Childress.
That 1-0 lead held until the sixth inning.
Community used a three-run sixth frame to leapfrog out in front of Cascade.
Dylan Markum doubled after Maillet walked, bringing Josh Powers to the plate.
With one out and two on, Powers laced a ground ball to left, knocking in the tying run.
In the next at-bat, Isaach Beech mashed a line drive double to left, scoring two more runs for the Purple and Gold.
Beech had the biggest hit of the night for Community, going 1-for-3 with his RBI double knocking in the go-a
Short stop Elijah Westbrooks fires a throw to first after fielding a one-hopper. (Post Photo by Chris Siers)
head and game-winning runs in the sixth.
Cascade was held to just three hits, two of which came from Crouch.
He also drew two walks.
Childress pitched two innings on the mound before Champion coach Travis Sheffield went to his bullpen.
Working out of the pen, Crouch was tagged with the loss after pitching 3 1/3 innings on the mound, but still was impressive in limiting the Vikings to three runs on three hits, while striking out three.
Dawson Youngblood went 2/3 of an inning and struck out one, while AJ Manus struck out one and didn’t allow a hit.
Childress went two innings and struck out one.
Community 000 003 0 — 3 5 1
Cascade 001 000 1 — 2 3 1
Community: Elijah Westbrooks 1-for-3, Dylan Markum 2-for-3, Josh Powers 1-for-4, Isaiah Beech 1-for-3.
Cascade: Caleb Crouch 2-for-2, Jayden Hathcock 1-for-3.
WP: Maillet
LP: Crouch
S: Reed
