Warrior Pitcher Chris Jackson
By: Drew Harris
3-9-15
(Cleveland) White County jumped out to a quick 6-0 lead on the Commerce Tigers on Monday afternoon, but they could not hold the lead as Commerce exploded for nine runs in the middle innings. After White County tied things back up at 9-9 in the 6th, the Tigers pushed the winning runs across in the top of the 7th. Commerce recorded the final out with Warrior runners on 2nd and 3rd to hold on for the 11-9 win.
The Warriors came sprinting out of the gate in the bottom of the 1st inning. Ethan Ramey belted a 3-run homer to left-center. Chris Jackson then followed with a missile over the right-center field fence to give the Warriors back to back shots and a 4 run lead. The Warriors added two more runs in the bottom of the 2nd to lead 6-0.
The Tigers’ bats came to life in the top of the 3rd as they strung five hits together to put up five runs in the inning. After the Warriors pushed across a single run in the bottom of the 3rd, Commerce scored two runs in each of the next two innings to take a 9-7 lead. The Warriors weren’t finished though. With one out in the 6th, Stetson Gearin blasted a long solo homerun to center. Parker Applewhite added an RBI single later in the inning to tie things back up at 9-9.
The Tigers loaded the bases in the final inning and pushed across two runs to retake the lead, 11-9. White County was able to get the tying runs in scoring position in the bottom of the 7th, but could not get them across as the Tigers prevailed 11-9.
The Warriors banged out 16 hits led by the Gearin brothers who had 3 hits each. Chris Jackson, Jay Taylor, Jason Ward, and Trey Allen all had two hits a piece. Ethan Ramey finished with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored. White County used three pitchers as Jackson, Applewhite, and Sean Kennedy combined to strike out six on the mound.
White County is slated to open up Region 8-AAAA play on Friday at home against Stephens County at 5:55 P.M. (weather permitting). You can listen live on Newstalk 1350 WRWH, www.wrwh.com, and on the TuneIn Radio app.
