Royals hold off Rams in 7th inning Posted on April 6, 2022 0 Getting the job done Wynford’s Sam Collene throws a pitch to an Upper Sandusky batter Tuesday. Collene gave up just one run until running into trouble in the seventh inning, but the Royals held on for a 5-4 victory.Daily Chief-Union/Lonnie McMillan Upper Sandusky scored three runs in the bottom of the seventh inning but left two runners in scoring position as Wynford held on for a 5-4 victory in Northern 10 Athletic Conference baseball play Tuesday at Upper Sandusky. Trailing 5-1, the Rams (2-1, 0-1 N10) made it interesting with a big two-out rally in the bottom of the seventh, beginning with a one-out Ethan Hill single. After a groundout, Upper Sandusky was down to its last chance. Connor Flowers singled home Hill, making it 5-2, and Jacob Halter followed with a walk. Spencer Miller replaced starter Sam Collene on the mound for the Royals, and Kaden Holman greeted him with an RBI single. Jackson Smalley reached on an error that also plated a run. Grant McGuire got the Royals out of the jam by inducing a Blaise Gallant groundball to third baseman Drew Johnson, who made the throw across the diamond to Miller for the final out. “Sam pitched a nice game,” Wynford coach Tom Smith said. “He ran out of gas in the seventh inning, but Grant was able to close it out for us.” Wynford jumped out to an early lead with two runs in first inning, and after Upper Sandusky cut its deficit in half with a run in the bottom of the fifth, the Royals had a big three-run sixth inning to take control. Solid contact Upper Sandusky’s Kaden Holman connects with a pitch at the plate Tuesday against Wynford. Holman had a hit and pitched out of jams to give the Rams a chance, but the Royals held on for a 5-4 victory.Daily Chief-Union/Lonnie McMillan In addition to recording the save, McGuire had a big game at the plate with a pair of hits and an RBI. Zach Harer singled, drove in a run and scored twice. Kendall Blair had a hit and an RBI and scored a run. Hill led the Rams at the plate with two hits and two runs, and Flowers had two hits and an RBI. Collene (2-0) picked up the win, giving up four runs — three earned — on six hits and five walks with two strikeouts in 6 2-3 innings. Holman (1-1) was the losing pitcher, allowing five runs — four earned — on five hits and six walks with seven strikeouts in 5 2-3 innings. Brady Hart allowed two hits and recorded all four of his outs via strikeout. “Holman pitched out of a couple jams to keep the game close,” Smith said. “We left 10 runners on base, including bases loaded in the first and third innings. Their bats came alive in the seventh inning. … We are happy to come away with a win against possibly the best team in the league.” The teams are scheduled to meet again at 5 p.m. today at Wynford. Score by innings Wynford 200 003 0 — 5 7 1 Upper Sandusky 000 010 3 — 4 7 1 WP: Collene (2-0); LP: Holman (1-1); SV: McGuire.
