The Poca Dots made the long trek up Route 60 to Smithers which is across from Montgomery to play a hot Valley Fayette County High School baseball team.
The Valley Greyhounds were 17 - 10 and won nine-of-their-last-ten including nine in a row.
The Greyhounds thought they had this one in the bag and had their juices flowing for another big victory over The Dots.
But Poca had other plans. The Dots made sure Valley's sophomore pitcher Robert Van Meter was in for a hard day as was his relief senior pitcher James Boyd. Poca had plenty adrenaline and was electrified for the upset of the Greyhounds. They pounded Van Meter and Boyd for 13 hits on the day.
By the time the game was over The Dots had the Greyhounds whimpering like pups.
Poca was led by their all state candidate pitcher-catcher Ian Humprey who was dominating on the mound. He over-powered the pups for 12 strikeouts while scattering seven hits. The Dots defense held strong with only one error. Valley's pitchers had two errors behind them.
Poca smashed the game open with 4 runs in the 2nd inning and capped the scoring with 2 more runs in both the 5th & 6th innings. The Pups lone unearned run came in the 6th inning. And The Dots went on to post a 8 - 1 victory over the hapless Pups.
Having the big bat for The Pups was - Senior Cole Wriston who was 2-for-3 at the plate. Sophomore Andrew Johnson also was 2-of-3, and junior James Newhirk drove in a run. Junior Joshua Thompson caught for Valley.
Having the big bat for The Dots was junior outfielder Josh Smalley who had two hits and smashed a Home Run and drove in a run. senior rightfielder Mike Laughlin had two hits and a Double and drove in a run. Senior outfielder Corey Rueckert was 2 of 3 at the plate. Senior 2nd baseman Eric ( Cheeto ) Duran was a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate and Drove in a run. Freshman phenom David Beavor was 2-for-3 at the plate. Senior David Yates did his usual good job at shortstop. Senior Kevin Dixon played very well behind the plate.
Poca Dots 0 4 0 0 2 2 0 - 8 13 1
Valley Greyhounds 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 - 1 7 2
