HiToms fend off Gastonia Rally to win 3-2
(Courtesy of Daniel Frey with HiToms Baseball)
Gastonia, N.C. – After a solid outing by Robert Donnelly on the bump, the High Point-Thomasville HiToms (2-1) hold on to beat the Gastonia Grizzlies (1-2) on the road 3-2. A late rally by Gastonia including putting the tying and winning runs on base came up short.
In the bottom of the second inning, lightning was spotted causing a 30-minute delay. One play resumed the game went at a quick pace.
Barrett Loseke struck out nine batters over six innings for the Grizzlies but ran into a hiccup in the fourth surrendering three runs.
Myles Kutscher drove in David Newcomer on a single that rolled into right field. Next batter, Zac Almond followed suit with an RBI single of his own on a line to right field. The third run of the game for the HiToms came across when Coll Stanley struck out and the throw went to second base allowing Kutscher to score.
No scoring occurred until the bottom of the eighth inning just after HiTom starting pitcher Robert Donnelly was pulled after putting two runners on. Donnelly struck out eight batter and only gave up three hits. But he would be charged two runs after a 2-RBI double into right center from Jackson Mims off of reliever Taylor Sugg. A crucial strikeout of Matt Simmons ended the threat for Gastonia with the tying run left on base.
In the bottom of the ninth runners were at first and second but it didn’t phase Sugg who slammed the door on the game striking out the final two batters swinging.
Donnelly (1-0) earned the win while Loseke (0-1) while effective is given the loss.
The HiToms host Martinsville on Friday, June 3 at 7 p.m. while hosting Bark in the Park and Scout Night at Finch Field.