Mustangs too powerful for HiToms
from Daniel Frey with HiToms Baseball
Martinsville, Va. – The High Point-Thomasville HiToms (23-16) leapt out to an early 4-0 lead but the Martinsville Mustangs (18-20) responded and powered past the HiToms 9-6.
In just his third start of the season, David Sheaffer ripped a 2-run double down the third base line plating the first runs of the ballgame in the top of the second. The HiTom bats stayed hot in the top of the third inning on an RBI double by Danny Sullivan followed by a Cesar Trejo run-scoring groundout.
Trailing 4-2 in the bottom of the third, Ivan Acuna blasted a game tying two-run homer to left as the score was even after three innings of play.
Hunter Slater kept up the stellar hitting with an RBI single in the top of the fourth to regain the lead for the HiToms.
Once again, the Mustangs wasted no time to get back on the board. Vince Augustine sent a solo shot to left to knot the game up at 5 off of the HiToms starting pitcher Ryan Kahny (1-4) who take out right after. The Mustangs snagged their first lead of the game on a run-scoring double by Spencer Holcomb although he was thrown out at third.
In the top of the sixth, the back and forth battle continued with a Slater fielder’s choice bringing across the tying run.
The story of night is how Martinsville responded at the plate all game long. A bunt in front of the plate was picked up and airmailed down the first base line by Wyatt Cross to put the Mustangs back in charge. Andrew Dill, out of the bullpen balked in another run and after it was all said and down the HiToms were behind 9-6 after 6 innings.
The score did not change as Chris Tate relieved Andrew Towns (4-3) after six innings of work. Tate struck out seven batters in just three innings to tally the save including back-to-back strikeouts to end the game with the tying run at the plate.
The HiToms host Forest City tomorrow night, July 22 at Finch Field at 7 p.m.