This was a good game if you like mistakes. There were 10 errors, four walks, and two batters hit by pitches. It was a game of miscues. The stands were crowded like all Winfield vs. Poca games are. The fans were raucous and boisterous but under control. Both teams seemed to be enthusiastic and the atmosphere was good.
In this Cardinal Conference showdown Winfield jumped out to a 4 - 0 lead as junior shortstop Adam Wright drove in two runs with a double to right field. The blast scored senior leadoff hitter and catcher Cameron Bonham who had walked and junior right fielder Tyler Bailey who had singled. Wright also scored on the backend of a double steal. Then 2nd baseman Evan Harmon drove in a run to cap the Winfield scoring in the top of the first inning.
Poca picked up a run when centerfielder Josh Smalley drove in senior shortstop David Yates who got on with a leadoff hit. It was 4 - 1 Winfield after one inning of play.
The Dots picked up another run in the bottom of the 2nd inning when freshman 1st baseman David Beavor got on with a hit and took 2nd on a throwing error. Senior pitcher Cory Rueckert scored as he led off the 2nd with a hit. The score was 4 - 2 after two innings of play.
In the top of the 3rd inning Winfield scored when senior first baseman Todd Hutchinson got on with a hit. Senior centerfielder Cameron Bonham got on from an error and Todd Hutchinson scored.
The Generals added another run in the top of the 4th, When junior Adam Wright got on with a hit and stole 2nd base. Senior pitcher Erik Schuller doubled in Wright and Winfield lead 6 - 2 after 3 and a half innings.
The Dots showing the heart of a champion and never gave up and cut into the lead with 2 runs in the 4th and added another run in the 5th making the score 6 - 5 Winfield after 5 innings of play. Senior rightfielder Mike Laughlin got on with a hit , then freshman David Beaver got a hit and Laughlin scored. Freshman Matt McClanahan moved the runner over with a groundout. Senior shortstop David Yates drove in Beaver with a double. Senior 3rd baseman Kevin Dixon got on with a hit and took 2nd on a throwing error took 3rd on a a passed ball and scored off an error.
Winfield capped the scoring when Pitcher Erik Schuller Doubled in junior Adam Wright who had got on with a hit. Jonathan Smoot had got on with a hit but didn't score because of the Dots' double play when Poca shortstop David Yates stepped on second base for the 1st out and threw to David Beaver at first base to complete a double play. Senior Cory Rueckert had a strikeout of a Winfield batter for the first out.
The last three outs for Poca was a strikeout by Erik Schuller, a groundout to senior 3rd baseman Jonathan Smoot and an assist from pitcher Erik Schuller to Todd Hutchinson at 1st base.
Winfield's last three outs at the top of the 7th inning were senior first baseman Tod Hutinson got on with a hit and then senior reliever Kevin Dixon struck out the side . Chad Quinn ran well for Winfield and junior Jonathan Tinney ran well for Poca .
Pitching for Poca after a shaky start was Cory Rueckert. He settled down and pitched a fairly good game. Cory had eight strikeouts and walked four Winfield batters. Kevin Dixon gave up a hit and struck out the side.
Erik Schuller gave up eight scattered hits and struck out seven Poca batters. He gave up zero walks but hit a batter.
Both coaches P.E. McClanahan and Steve Hensley did a fine job with the players.
I would like to thank Richie Eads , Bob Humphrey , Tim and Molly Yates and David Tinney and Wimpy Jones for all their help and lest i forget Danny Chase , Steve Hensley, Roger Hensley. And AD Charlie Tribble. ( Nancy Hancart and Brenda & Fred Sprouse and Mary Humprey and Ed Conner for all those Photos. )
Runs Hits Errors Walks
Winfield Generals 4 0 1 1 0 1 0 - 7 12 5 0
Poca Dots 1 1 0 2 1 0 0 - 5 8 3 4
