MARTINSVILLE, V.A. – The High-Point Thomasville HiToms brought the offensive fireworks to Hooker Park Thursday against the Martinsville Mustangs finishing the first game of the seven-inning doubleheader 18-10, but couldn’t finish the rally in game two and fell 4-3.
The game picked up right where it left off from in the bottom of the fifth with the HiToms leading 12-5 with two runners on and two out, but HiToms designated hitter Jared Allen (jr., Middle Tennessee State) struck out to end the frame. In the top of the sixth Martinsville (6-8) tacked on five runs to come within two, 12-10. The HiToms refused to take that sitting down, however, as they responded with a six-run bottom of the sixth. Bradley Morton (jr., Appalachian State) and Spencer Mahoney (jr., Valparaiso) chipped in the frame with RBI singles, but left fielder Austin Crutcher (jr., Bellarmine) capped his huge day at the plate with a three-run double. He finished 3-for-4 with a home run and five RBIs while center fielder Cody Brittain (so., USC Upstate) drove in four.
In game two, Martinsville starting pitcher Andrew Locklear (1-0) stymied High Point-Thomasville (6-6) through his six-inning start allowing only one run on five hits and striking out eight. The HiToms started to rally down 4-1 against Mustangs closer Cody Creamer. After Crutcher double to lead off the top of the seventh, Trip Dunn (rs fr., Catawba Valley) doubled to bring him in to narrow the gap to 4-2. After pinch-runner Jordan Simons (so., Louisville) advanced to third, he scored on a passed ball to bring the HiToms within in 4-3. Mahoney reached with a single as the tying run with two outs, but was stranded as Creamer shut the door to earn his fourth save of the season.
The HiToms come back home to Finch Field to face the Edenton Steamers on Friday. First pitch is at 7pm.