HiToms Split Doubleheader with Martinsville

THOMASVILLE, N.C. – Weather yet again played a factor in a Wednesday doubleheader between the High Point-Thomasville HiToms and the Martinsville Mustangs, but this time both seven-inning games were played in full. The HiToms won game one 4-3 in walk-off fashion, but the bats fell silent in game two as they lost 4-1.

Just minutes before the night’s scheduled first pitch, a thunderstorm descended on Finch Field causing an hour and fifteen minute rain delay. Once game one started at 7:15, however, the skies were clear and the diamond was ready for play.

The HiToms (11-13) grabbed an early 1-0 in the bottom of the first when Josh Ingram (jr., Central Oklahoma) drilled a RBI single to center. After Alec Paradowski (so., Wofford) scored the second run of the game on a wild pitch in the bottom of the second, the HiToms’ lead double. Martinsville responded with a run in the top of the fourth, but Pete Guy had the HiToms’ response in the bottom half smacking a solo shot to left field to push their lead to 3-1.

Sloppy defensive play in the top of the fifth cost High Point-Thomasville dearly. With two outs and runners at the corners, Martinsville (9-15) scored them both on a throwing error to tie the game at three. The score remained tied till the bottom of the seventh inning.

Paradowski led off the frame with a single. After stealing second, he advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt before Des Roberts (rs jr., UNC-Charlotte) hit the game-winning sacrifice fly to left field giving the HiToms their first walk-off win of the season 4-3.

Game two played out nearly the exact same way as the HiToms took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third on a Bradley Morton (jr., Appalachian State) bases-loaded walk with nobody out. But it’s all the HiToms would get when Mustangs starting pitcher Matt Petrizzi (2-2) set down the next three men to face him and limited the damage.

In the top of the fourth, Martinsville took the lead for good when Kevin Mahala and Sam Tolleson ripped back-to-back RBI singles off HiToms starter Eric Sharff (fr., Delaware State, 1-1). Gavin Stupienski added insurance a frame later with a two-run double to left center, giving the Mustangs the final 4-1 tally.

The HiToms will finish their three-game series with Martinsville tomorrow on the road at Hooker Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05.