NEW PARIS — National Trail scored a run in the bottom of the fifth to tie the game and two more in the bottom of the sixth Wednesday to secure a 5-3 victory over Twin Valley South.
The Blazers jumped out to a 2-0 first inning lead. Jamison Watts hit a leadoff single and Cooper Smith singled to right to put runners at first and second.
Cooper Lee hit a ground out to second with Watts scoring and Smith advancing to third on the throw. Braylon Coffey hit a line drive single to right to drive in Smith to give National Trail an early 2-0 lead.
The Panthers got one run in the top of the second inning. Cais Kingsley hit a leadoff ground ball single to center and stole second. He advanced to third on an error by the catcher.
Keaton Watts reached on a third base error that allowed Kingsley to score.
Twin Valley South tied the game with one run in the top of the third. Cyrus Worley hit a line drive single to right and stole second. He advanced to third on a ground out by Dustin Miller and scored on a ground out by Parker Howard.
The Panthers took a 3-2 lead in the top of the fifth. Seth Carver hit a leadoff single to left and advanced to second on a balk. He reached third on a ground out by Laiden Carver and scored on a sacrifice bunt by Worley.
The Blazers tied the game in the bottom of the fifth. Gavin Vance stroked a one out single to center and advanced to second on a wild pitch. He reached third on an error by the catcher and scored on the same play to tie the game 3-3.
National Trail secured the victory with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Cooper Lee led off and got hit by a pitch. After the next hitter struck out Nick Brubaker came in to pinch run for Lee.
Kellen Laird reached first on a fielder’s choice with Brubaker thrown out at second on a ground ball to third. Andrew Hamm singled to left and advanced to second on an error by the third baseman on the throw back to the infield. Laird scored on the same error.
Mason Leal and Vance both drew walks to load the bases. Watts reached on an error at second that enabled Hamm to score with Vance advancing to second and Leal to third. A line out to center ended the inning with the Blazers holding a 5-3 lead.
Hamm earned the victory for the Blazers. He pitched one and one-third of an inning, allowing no hits, no runs, with one walk and two strike outs. Coffey started the game and pitched five and one-third innings, allowed three hits and three runs (two earned) with one walk and one strike out.
Hamm led the offense with two hits in three at bats with a stolen base and scored one run. Coffey went one for three with an RBI. Vance went one for two with a walk and scored a run. Chase Ruebush had one hit and a stolen base.
Laiden Carver took the loss for Twin Valley South. He pitched six innings, allowed seven hits and five runs (three earned), with two walks and three strike outs.
Parker Howard and Keaton Watts had an RBI each. Kingsley, S. Carver, and Worley each had one hit for the Panthers.
Reach Ron Nunnari at (937) 684-9124 or email [email protected].
