The Washington School baseball team now has its back against the wall.
After a scoreless six innings of pitching from General Turner Hitt and Liam Ledbetter of Indianola Academy, the visiting Colonels took the lead for good when they scored five runs in the top of the seventh inning in their 5-2 victory Tuesday night in the opening game in the best-of-three series in the second round of the MAIS Class 4A Playoffs.
In order to advance, Washington School must now win on Thursday night at Indianola Academy and on Friday night at home. Both games have a 5:30 p.m. first pitch.
“We were just outplayed in all three phases of the game,” Washington School coach Hunter Palasini said. “But, if I know this group, they will be ready to play on Thursday.”
Indianola Academy’s Ty Killebrew’s single in the top of the seventh inning scored two runs. Then, Patrick Davis doubled to deep left field and drove in another run making it 3-0. A bases loaded single by Gage Berry drove in the final two Colonel runs.
The Generals (16-12) would make things interesting in the bottom of the seventh inning which was started after Jones Roberson’s hit a high fly ball which landed right in front of the Indianola left fielder for a double. Wade Fratesi reached on an error and Cauy Smith walked to load the bases.
Fratesi and Roberson then scored two runs after it was ruled that the pitch from Ledbetter hit off the Colonel catcher and into the netted screen behind the plate. The Indianola Academy coaching staff, to know avail, argued that the ball had been tipped by the General batter. Nevertheless, Ledbetter would strike out a batter and get a fly out to end the game.
Washington School’s Palasini said, perhaps, his team was a little rusty, since they are the No. 1 seed in their bracket and had a first round bye and a week off before Tuesday’s game.
“We just need to get back out there. This is baseball and anything can happen.”
