King's Ridge Christian Defeats Pace Academy, 11-5

MABLETON-The Baseball Team cranked out 11 runs on 11 hits, and pulled off a rare triple play in the bottom of the fifth on their way to an 11-5 win over the Knights of Pace Academy Wednesday night.

In the early innings of the game, it seemed as if the Knights might have a chance to pull the upset.  Pace got on the board in the bottom of the first when second baseman Tripp Conrad singled and catcher Reade Midyette doubled, driving in the first run of the game.  The Knights added two more runs in the bottom of the third and led it 3-0.

Pace starting pitcher Bentley Lellyette held the King's Ridge offense in check for the first three innings.  Lellyette struck out six, walked two and didn't give up a hit until the top of the fourth inning.

But that is when the Tigers got going. Jeff Sneed and Luke McCracken led off the inning with walks. Then John Jarrard executed a bunt single and the bases were loaded.  That set the scene as Patrick McClure came to the plate, reaching on a fielder's choice. But that choice and a throwing error put the Tigers' first two runs on the scoreboard.

Jason McCoy reached on another fielder's choice, but this worked just about as well for the Knights as the previous play, as the next two batters--Slade Osborne and Hunter Damron--drew walks. That put lead off hitter Devon Schmitt up to bat and he delivered with an RBI single. Tigers shortstop Grayson Byrd hit a sacrifice fly to drive in another run.  Jeff Sneed, who started things off in the Tigers half of the inning, returned to the batter's box with an RBI double.

The Tigers scored 7 runs in the top of the fourth and did not look back.    

King's Ridge added two more runs in the top of the fifth to make it 9-3, but Pace didn't go quietly. The Knights scored two runs in their half of the fourth and only trailed by four runs. The Knights still had the bases loaded with nobody out and were poised to make a comeback.  However, that opportunity was ended with one of baseball's rarest events. Andy McCall hit a line drive right to King's Ridge pitcher Jeff Sneed, who caught the line drive. Sneed then threw to third, doubling off the runner at third. Third baseman Luke McCracken in turn threw to second and caught the runner, completing the Tigers' triple play.  

The Tigers resumed their offensive attack in the top of the fifth inning with John Jarrard leading off with a double, then stealing second. Patrick McClure then reached on a walk.  Jarrard stole third and scored on a throwing error.  Two batters later Slade Osborne doubled, driving in McClure and the Tigers led it 11-5.

The Knights were able to get runners on base in the bottom of the sixth, but bad base running allowed the runners to be thrown out at third and second to end the Knights' threat.  King's Ridge went on to win the ball game 11-5.

The win improves the Tigers' record to 10-4 on the season and 8-2 in Region 5 A.  They sit in third place in the region behind Wesleyan and Providence Christian.  King's Ridge Christian returns to the diamond Thursday when they host Wesleyan at 4:30 p.m.