By Brendan Loiacono/Sinclair Sports Information
Freshman righty Zach Ryan toed the rubber for the Tartan Pride against Kellogg in the nightcap of Saturday's games at Athletes in Action.
Both teams were held scoreless until the top of the third inning when Kellogg scored a run on a sacrifice fly to deep right field. In the bottom half, Drew Williams singled to center with two outs to start things for the Pride. Williams then stole second and advanced to third on the following pitch which resulted in a passed ball.
Austin Downing worked a walk to set up a first and third scoring opportunity for Matt Sullivan. The Tartans scored their first run of the game when Drew Williams scored from third on a passed ball during Sullivan's at bat.
Two pitches later Matt Sullivan stroked a two out double down the left field line scoring Austin Downing, giving the Pride a 2-1 advantage. In the top of the fifth Kellogg pushed across another run tying the score at 2-2. Sinclair responded quickly when Jon Lowe led off the bottom half of the fifth inning with a walk.
Williams advanced Lowe to second with a successful sacrifice bunt. Then Lowe scored from second when sophomore Austin Downing sent a 1-0 pitch to centerfield for an RBI single. Matt Sullivan also singled, sending Downing to second base.
The hit parade continued when Nathan Helke drove in Downing from second tallying the fourth run of the ballgame for the Pride offense. In the top of the sixth, Kellogg tied the game yet again with two more runs to put the score at 4-4.
In the bottom of the seventh inning, Drew Williams doubled down the left field line to lead things off. Austin Downing sacrificed Williams to third and with one away, Kellogg intentionally walked Sullivan and Helke to load the bases for Lance Straley.
Straley took advantage of his opportunity ripping a line drive single to the outfield for the walk off victory. Nathan Helke, who came into the game in the sixth inning with one away, earned the win for Sinclair.
Final Score: Sinclair 5 #18 Kellogg 4
Winning Pitcher- Nathan Helke 1 2/3 H 2BB's 3K's
Offensive Leaders- Drew Williams 2-3 2R 2B, Austin Downing 1-2 2R RBI BB, Matt Sullivan 2-3 2B RBI BB Lance Straley 1-3 RBI