THS keeps Bulldogs at bay 3-2

By Staff
Scot Beard
THARPTOWN – The last time Tharptown met Belgreen on the baseball field, the Wildcats walked away with a 12-2 victory.
Monday afternoon, they walked away with a 3-2 win, but not without a fight.
"Both teams played a good, close game. Either team could have won," said Tharptown coach Derek Ergle. "They have improved since the beginning of the season."
Devin Lawson scored in the bottom of the third inning to give the Wildcats an early 1-0 lead.
Tharptown was unable to add to its advantage until the fifth when Nathan Gray reached first on a dropped third strike and the throw from the catcher sailed over the first baseman's head allowing Gray to move all the way to third. Jacob Parker followed with a single to drive Gray home.
Belgreen answered in the third when William Washington doubled and stole third. Tharptown's catcher tried to throw Washington out, but the throw went into the outfield and Washington scored to pull the Bulldogs within one run.
Shawn Hall led off the seventh inning for Belgreen by drawing a walk and moving to second on a passed ball. He too stole third and the pick off throw again went into the outfield allowing Hall to tie the game.
Parker reached base for Tharptown in the bottom of the seventh before Kelby Hallmark flew out to centerfield. The Belgreen centerfielder threw to first to try and double off the runner, but the throw went to the dugout and Parker moved to second.
A sacrifice by Trevor Hallmark moved Parker to third and a single by Brandon Cothrum allowed Parker to score.