MONTEREY — This past Friday evening, the Highland Rams lost a tough game to the Bears of Blue Ridge Christian School, 5-2.
The Rams were without several of key players for various reasons but still put together a great defensive effort with the players who could make the game.
Tristan Carpenter, playing second base for the Rams, made several sparkling plays, as did Elijah Good playing first base and John Wagner at third.
What cost the Rams was a lack of timely hitting. “Lately, we have had a hard time getting some hitting practice due to weather issues or many of the players being involved in track or other activities,” said HHS coach J.D. Hiner. “It is what it is. Unless the guys get together over the weekend, there won’t be another opportunity for hitting practice until we play Bath County in the district tournament next Tuesday.”
The Bears started things off in the first inning, scoring two runs by Dominic Paul and Colin Suter. Lochlan Paul hit a groundout RBI to account for one of the runs.
The Rams offense woke up a bit in the bottom half of the second with Colton Williams hitting a double then scoring a run on an RBI single by Eli Moore. The score after two innings was 2-1 Bears.
The Bears scored three more runs in the top of the third with Dominic and Lochlan Paul, and Alex Showalter crossing the plate. Lochlan Paul, Jacob West, and Paul Berry each had an RBI. In the home half of the third, the Rams added one more run in what proved to be the final tally. Michael Campbell scored for the Rams on a groundout RBI from Patton Hull. The score after three innings, and the final score, was 5-2.
Matthew Wilkins pitched a complete game for the Bears allowing just six hits, while striking out six. Lochlan Paul and Showalter each had two hits for the winners with Dominic Paul adding a hit and scoring two runs.
Williams started the game for the Rams, giving way to Campbell in the first inning. Campbell gave up nine hits while striking out three. Campbell was 3-for-4 for the Rams, scoring a run and snagging two stolen bases. Campbell now has 34 stolen bases for the season. Eli Moore went 2-for-4 with an RBI and Williams added a double and a run to help the team.
Last Thursday, Brayden Holdren singled in the bottom of the seventh, scoring Braedyn Houck with the game-winning run in Parry McCluer 2-1 walk-off victory over the Rams in Buena Vista.
Houck and Wagner locked horns in a brilliant pitchers’ duel. Houck gave up five hits and one unearned run, while striking out 15 and walking just one. Wagner surrendered six hits and two runs — one earned. He struck out three and walked one. Wagner and Zach Armstrong each had two hits for Highland and Williams added one.
Williams scored Armstrong with the Rams’ lone run of the game on an RBI single in the top of the first.
Aaron Pruett had two hits for Parry McCluer.
Highland, which finished the regular season 9-10 overall and 6-6 in the Pioneer District, was the No. 3 seed in the district tournament and hosted Bath County on Tuesday.
Last Thursday’s Boxscore
Highland 100 000 0 - 1 5 1
P. McCluer 010 000 1 - 2 6 1
WP: Braedyn Houck; LP: John Wagner (3-2)
Last Friday’s Boxscore
BR Christian 203 000 0 - 5 10 0
Highland 101 000 0 - 2 6 0
WP: Matthew Wilkins; LP: Colton Williams (1-2)