By By STEVE MORRISON / Niles Daily Star
NILES – It wasn't a pretty picture, as the Paw Paw Redskins scored 13 runs on 10 hits, defeating the host Brandywine Bobcats on Wednesday, 13-6.
In uncharacteristic fashion, the Bobcats couldn't get their offense going as they stalled with the bases loaded in their first and fourth at-bats.
The bats were as cold as the wind chill for the hosts.
When center fielder Seth Wyman doubled home shortstop Scott McDaid, the Redskins drew first blood with one out in their initial at bat.
The 'Cats came right back in their half of the first to tie it at 1-1. Dan Reidenbach singled with two out for Brandywine and scored on a base on balls to Shane Bankston, with the bags full. A pickoff at first ended the inning.
In the top of the second, Brandywine starter Jesse McCombs set down the Redskins in order on three flyballs. Redskin starter Armon Brown turned the table, in the bottom half, retiring three in a row with a nice selection of curves and changeups.
The top of the third inning was a pivotal frame in the game as Paw Paw scored three, the big blow coming on Wyman's two-run homer with one out. McCombs set down the next two Redskins on flies to left and right, but Paw Paw had established a 4-1 lead that they never relinquished.
Brandywine came close, scoring one in each of third and fourth innings.
Dominique Pompey singled to drive in McCombs in the third and Mike Lindzy came around after he singled to lead off the bottom of the fourth.
The score stood 4-3, Paw Paw, after four segments.
After scoring a single unearned run in the fifth, Paw Paw put the game away with a six-run sixth inning, beginning with Anthony Moon's leadoff homer.
Kyle King came in to relieve McCombs, after two more singles sandwiched a walk. Two more walks and a single made it an 11-3 Redskin bulge after four and one half innings.
Brandywine scored three in their last chance at the plate, but it wasn't enough against Paw Paw reliever Chris Hager, who pitched the last four frames against the 'Cats for the save.
King doubled to start it off; McCombs singled. One out later, Pompey walked, but Cody Udell's single, driving in the final tally was the last RBI of the game.
Brandywine Coach Dave Sidenbender handled the defeat with his usual calm demeanor, but was none too pleased with the efforts of his players.
"We threw a couple of guys who needed to throw. We needed a challenge. They (Paw Paw) are a bigger school. We needed some adversity to see how we would respond and we didn't; but we will next time," he surmised.
"Don't take the day off!" warned Sidenbender before the game. "But some individuals did."
The Bobcats are now 22-3 on the year, while Paw Paw is 12-8.
Paw Paw 103 016 2 – 13 10 2
Brandywine 101 100 3 – 6 7 4
WP – Armon Brown (P), Chris Hager (4) (S); and Anthony Moon
LP – Jesse McCombs (B), Kyle King (5): and Cam Ondresky, Cody Udell (7)
2B: Seth Wyman (P), Kyle King (B)
HRs: Wyman (P), Anthony Moon (P)