Blythewood’s Harrison Collins singles against Spring Valley. He went 1-for-3 at the plate with two RBI. He also pitched four complete innings, giving up two runs on three hits while striking out four. Photos by Mike Maddock
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The Blythewood Bengals scored four runs in the top of the sixth to earn a come-from-behind 4-2 win over the Spring Valley Vikings Friday, April 19.
“We had to get base runners first,” Blythewood head coach Travis Poole said. “We were able to get a guy on with one out and then move him over. We were fortunate to get a guy on the bases who could run. We were able to get Porter (Rummel) in the game who could run. We were fortunate to get some timely hits when we needed it. Our aggressive base running opened the door. Their kid threw a heck of a game. He really did. I tip my cap to him.”
Spring Valley struck in the bottom of the first with a leadoff double from Jayden Williams. He later scored and gave the Vikings a 1-0 lead when Blythewood tried to pick off courtesy runner Alex Lance at second.
The score held until the bottom of the fourth. Jacob Smoak led off with a double. A sacrifice bunt from Walker Thompson moved courtesy runner Lance to third. Newton Goodson then hit into a ground out, scoring Lance as Spring Valley led 2-0.
Spring Valley’s Jacob Smoak pitched a complete game giving up no earned runs and three hits, while striking out nine.
Through five innings, Smoak shut out the Blythewood lineup. It didn’t come without its challenges, however. In the top of the second, Harrison Collins and Jackson Bottar singled to put two on with one out. Smoak rebounded to get the next two batters out to get out of the jam.
However, in the top of the sixth the Bengals were able to mount their best offensive attack of the night. Sammy Franklin reached on an error, putting one on with one out. He would later score on an error to trim the deficit to 2-1. After Landon Penfield and Macon Leppert drew walks, Collins reached on an error, scoring two runs to put Blythewood ahead 3-2. Collins would later score on a wild pitch to extend the Bengals’ lead to 4-2.
That was enough for Bottar, who came on in relief and shut Spring Valley down the final two innings to set the final score.
Collins pitched four complete innings for Blythewood. He gave up two runs on three hits and struck out four. At the plate, he went 1-for-3 with two RBIs. Bottar went the final three innings giving up no runs on three hits as he struck out four, too.
“I thought our pitchers did a good job,” Poole said. “Harrison was making only his third outing on the year, his first start. He’s been a little better, but I thought he was a little rusty with his command. He battled.
“Jackson has been clutch for us all year. He came in and did the job we needed him to do.”
Smoak pitched a complete game for Spring Valley giving up four runs on three hits as he struck out nine. He also went 2-for-2 at the plate and his courtesy runner scored once. Newton went 1-for-3 with an RBI. Williams went 2-for-3 with a run scored.
Blythewood improves to 14-3 overall and 11-3 in Region 3-5A.
Spring Valley falls to 4-18 overall and 2-12 in the region.
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