By Staff
Lacey's 2-run HR lifts PC past Red Bay 6-2
Kim West
RED BAY – Phil Campbell senior Stephen Lacey changed a game that had been a pitcher's duel with one angry swing as the Bobcats beat Red Bay 6-2 in a Class 2A, Area 16 showdown Monday.
With Red Bay clinging to a 2-1 lead and a runner at first in top of the fifth inning, the Bobcats' Korey Pounders was called out by the home plate umpire for stepping out of the batter's box without calling timeout.
Lacey was the next batter up for Phil Campbell, and he responded by slamming the first pitch he saw for a 2-run homer that put the Bobcats ahead 3-2.
"The pitch was a fastball high and tight, and I turned on it," said Lacey, who also earned the complete-game win by striking out 11 hitters and scattering five hits. "I was very frustrated by that call because it was terrible.
"I thought I pitched a good game today except for the one inning when Red Bay scored. My arm's been bothering me lately but today it felt great, and this is a game we always get up for because it's Red Bay."
Phil Campbell struck first when Lacey scored in the top of the second inning to lead 1-0. Both teams continued to struggled at the plate in the third inning as Lacey and Red Bay pitcher Cody Armstrong each mowed through the batting order.
Armsrong sparked the Red Bay offense in the bottom of the fourth by leading off with a single. Nathan Hopkins, who finished with a pair of hits, followed with another single to put runners at first and second for Eli Cox, who hit an RBI double to score Armstrong.
Steven Prestage walked to load the bases for Andy Thorn, who drew a walk from Lacey to bring home Hopkins and put the Tigers ahead 2-1. Lacey fired a strikeout to get out of the bases-loaded jam.
Red Bay threatened again in the bottom of the fifth as Armstrong and Hopkins each singled to put runners at the corners but Lacey got Prestage to hit a grounder to second to end the inning.
Armstrong struck out the side in the top of sixth to give the Tigers a chance but Lacey struck out three of the last seven batters, didn't give up a hit and allowed only one walk to seal the win for Phil Campbell.
The Bobcats (9-5, 1-1) added three insurance runs in the top of the seventh as Pounders hit a full-count double and Lacey singled up the middle. Jonathan Dill reached first on an error to score Pounders and Caleb Thompson drove in Lacey and Dill with a single to make the final score 6-2.
Red Bay will host Mars Hill Monday, March 31 at 4:30 p.m. in an area game, while Phil Campbell will play at Guin Friday in a doubleheader beginning at 4 p.m.