The Dots jumped out to a 6 - 0 lead scoring all 6 runs in the bottom of the 2nd inning. Senior centerfielder Cory Rueckert led off the inning with a hit and was followed by senior rightfielder Mike Laughlin who walked , then freshman 1st baseman David Beaver got on with a hit and took 2nd on an error. Rueckert had took 2nd and 3rd and scored on a wild pitch. Then freshman DH Matt McClanahan drove in two runs with a hit. Senior 2nd baseman Eric ( Cheeto ) Duran walked, Then junior catcher Ian Humphrey drove in two runs with a Double. Then junior outfielder Josh Smalley got on with a hit. Then senior Kevin Dixon drove in a run off a hard hit . And the 2nd inning ended with The Dots leading 6 - 0.
It didn't take long for Sherman to answer as they scored four runs in the top of the 4th inning led by the double of Justin Treadway. (There are Treadways on this team, all brothers, including a set of twins.) Rightfielder Andrew Lowe scored on Justin 's double. Brandon Treadway got on off an error and scored off Barry Sloan's double. After 2-and-a-half innings Poca led 6 - 4.
But The Dots weren't satisfied. They had another strong inning with 7 runs in the bottom of the 3rd inning. Mike Laughlin led off with a deep fly out to left field. Then freshman David Beaver drove a double deep to the fence in left. Freshman Matt McClanahan followed with a walk. Then senior shortstop David Yates got a hit. Senior "Cheeto" Duran patiently walked in a run. Poca's star catcher Ian Humphrey then drove in three runs with a hard- hit triple (earning him 5 RBIs for the game.) Junior pitcher Josh Smalley had a hard-hit double. (Junior Jonathan Tinney who was running for Ian stole home on a wild pitch). Senior 3rd baseman Kevin Dixon was hit by a pitch and scored later off an error. Then senior centerfielder Cory Rueckert drove in a run with a hit. The 3rd inning ended with The Dots leading 13 - 4.
The game was just like a prize fight but neither team could got the knock out punch. Sherman was down for the 9 count about now behind 13 - 4. There is no quit in the Tide as they kept fighting back. But The Dots, playing like a champion, kept putting them back on the canvas and down for the count.
In the top of the 4th Sherman scored 2 runs on walks by Andrew Sloan and Justin Treadway. Brandon Treadway got on from an error and a run scored. Then the other Treadway, 3rd baseman Colby, drove in the second run with a hit. Poca led 13 - 6.
Sherman mounted a big inning in the top of the 6th inning getting four runs behind the play of Justin Treadway who had a hit. Designated Hitter Michael Kirk doubled. Brandon Treadway drove in two runs with a double. Then leftfielder Josh Gordon scored a run when he got on with an error. Catcher Barry Sloan drove in a run with a double. After 5-and-a-half innings Poca led 13 - 10.
Senior second baseman Cheeto Duran drove in an insurance run in the bottom of the 6th inning. Freshman first baseman David Beaver scored after getting on when hit by a pitch and took a base on freshman Matt McClanahan's sacrifice fly.
The final score was 14 - 11 a strong Poca victory.
Sophomore Ben Hapney pitched for Sherman and struck out six Poca batters but gave up hits and four walks. Sophomore Josh Hapney caught for his brother.
Pitching for Poca was junior Josh Smalley who struck out eight Sherman batters. Freshman Seth Stidham pitched in the 7th inning. Ian Humphrey caught the whole game.
Having a big bat for The Dots was junior phenom Ian Humphrey. He had a double, a triple, and drove in five runs. Senior Corey Rueckert was 3-of-4 on the night and drove in two runs. Senior Eric Duran was 2-of-3 hitting the ball and drove in two runs. Freshman Matt McClanahan was 1-for-1 and drove in two runs. Freshman David Beaver was 2-of-3 hitting the ball with a double. Junior Josh Smalley was 3-of-4 hitting the ball with a double.
On defense senior shortstop David is a sensation to watch as he gets to those hard shots in the hole. The last three outs was 1st baseman David Beaver unassisted, then a fly to centerfielder Cory Rueckert. Finally Josh Smalley struck out the Sherman batter to end the game.
P.E. McClanahan pushed just the right buttons for this win with the help of Mark Atkins and Kyle Jones his coaches. Richie Eads, Bob Humphrey, Wimpy Jones as well as Tim and Molly Yates woth David Tinney keep the place running.
Runs Hits Errors
Sherman Tide 0 0 4 2 0 4 1 - 11 12 5
Poca Dots 0 6 7 0 0 1 X - 14 15 3
