Allen’s Heroics Lead HiToms in Extras

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Jared Allen hit the game-winning home run Saturday night to spur the High Point-Thomasville HiToms to a 3-2 extra-inning win over the Columbia Blowfish.

The HiToms (10-11) scratched across a run in the top of the fifth when Logan Taylor (fr., Louisville) singled with one out and then scored on an error at second giving his team the 1-0 advantage.
Columbia (9-16) was held at bay until the bottom of the sixth when Allen Staton tied the game with a sacrifice fly to center field that scored J.D. Crowe from first.

In the bottom of the seventh, Columbia’s Erik Barber led off the frame stroking a double to left-center and it chased HiToms starting pitcher Chase Cunningham (jr. Belmont) from the game. Then, a throwing error from centerfield scored Barber from second and gave the Blowfish a 2-1 lead.

High Point-Thomasville supplied some late inning dramatics, however. In the top of the ninth, catcher Nick Dini (jr., Wagner) hit a leadoff double to left. Two batters later, Taylor struck again with a ringing RBI double to left field which tied the score at two apiece. After a scoreless bottom of the ninth, it didn’t take long for the HiToms to push their momentum further. Jared Allen (jr., Middle Tennessee State) cranked a leadoff solo homer to dead center field as the HiToms climbed back in front for good, 3-2.

Laetten Galbraith (jr., Louisiana Tech, 1-0) pitched three-and-a-third scoreless innings in relief to earn his first win of the season.

The HiToms are off Sunday before facing USA Baseball’s National Collegiate Team Monday evening at Finch Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:00 P.M.