Late Error Costs HiToms

HIGH POINT-THOMASVILLE, N.C. – Austin Crutcher hit his league-leading seventh homer of the season Wednesday night, but it wasn’t enough for the High Point-Thomasville HiToms as they fell to the Forest City Owls 4-3. The loss drops them to last place in the CPL West division second half standings.

The Owls (23-16, 6-5) got started on the very first pitch of the ballgame as right fielder Stephen Pallares smacked it over the left field wall for a leadoff homer. Austin Crutcher (jr., Bellarmine) had the HiToms’ response in the bottom half as he crushed a two-run shot to center putting the HiToms in front 2-1.

High Point-Thomasville (16-23, 4-7) took a 3-1 lead to the fourth inning but with a runner on first and two out, Forest City’s Maleeke Gibson smacked a two-run shot off of starting pitcher Chase Cunningham (jr., Belmont) to tie the game at three apiece.

From then on, both teams exchanged zeroes until the top of the ninth inning. After the Owls’ Gibson reached on a walk and moved to second on a wild pitch, catcher Lucas Owens hit a ground ball to second base that was misplayed allowing Gibson to score the eventual game-winning run. The HiToms got the leadoff man on in the bottom of the ninth, but couldn’t cash in.

Phil Maton (jr., Louisiana Tech, 0-1) allowed just one unearned run and struck out four in four innings out of the bullpen but was saddled with the hard luck loss. Forest City’s Max Cordy went eight innings allowing three runs (two) on four hits with six strikeouts for his first win of the year while Steven Pallares moved from right field to the mound earning his third save of the year.

The HiToms will head to the Amtrak High Point station for the third annual “Train Game” Thursday as they visit historic Fleming Stadium to face the Wilson Tobs. First pitch is scheduled for 7:05 P.M.