Howard Township out; Brandywine advances
Published 9:19 pm Monday, July 26, 2010
By SCOTT NOVAK
Dowagiac Daily News
NILES – Just when it looked like Howard Township was going to pick up a win at the 11-year-old Ohio Valley Regional at Firemen’s Park, Germantown, Ky. rallied for the victory.
In a game to decide who would qualify for the single elimination portion of the tournament Monday morning, Germantown advanced with a come-from-behind 8-7 victory.
Germantown got out to an early 4-1 lead on Howard Township, which came back in the bottom of the fourth to take the lead.
After Conner Amberg was hit by a pitch and stole second, Noah Frantz drew a walk to put runners at first and second for Howard.
Cody Glick drew a walk to load the bases for Bryce Lake, who reached on an error as two runs scored to cut the lead to 4-3.
Germantown replaced starter Neal Hancock on the mound with Alex Hood.
Another error allowed Keegan Neumann to reach base and plated two more runners to give Howard Township a 5-4 advantage.
Amberg hit a solo home run in the fifth inning and Howard forced another run across the plate to take a 6-4 lead into the sixth inning.
Germantown used three singles and a walk, which loaded the bases to plate a run in the top of the sixth and send the game into extra innings.
Dylan Barth and Brandon Flora stroked back-to-back singles and Peyton Hood drew a walk to fill the bases.
Hancock’s two-run single squared the game at 7-7.
After a one, two, three inning for Howard in the bottom of the sixth, Germantown went back on the offensive in the top of the seventh.
Austin Black reached base on an error to open the inning, but was forced out at second when Jacob Huber reached on a fielder’s choice play. Huber promptly stole second and then moved to third on a wild pitch.
Tyler Cull then grounded out to first base allowing Huber to score the winning run.
In the bottom of the seventh, Howard again went down in order to end the game.
Hood was the winning pitcher for Germantown, while Frantz took the loss in relief for Howard Township.
S. Lexington…12
Brandywine…0
Brandywine wrapped up pool play with a 12-0 loss to Southeastern Lexington, which earned the No. 2 seed in the single elimination portion of the tournament.
Nathan Kemp had the lone hit for Brandywine.
He also took the loss.
C.J. Bush was the winning pitcher for Lexington.
Kyle Payton singled and homered. Kalen Covington had a double and a single.
Pleasant Prairie…5
Brandywine…10
Toby Fox struck out three and scattered five hits to help lead Brandywine to a win over Pleasant Prairie.
Fox also had a single and a double.
Scott Miller and Shevin Yazel each had three hits.
Yazel also had four RBIs.
Brandywine was scheduled to face top seed Schererville today at noon.