Colby Farris lined a two run RBI single to clinch the 2-1 win for the Indians over Grafton.
photo by Lori Younker
by Jamie Harris
The Berkeley Springs High School Varsity Baseball Team had a busy week with the start of the Class AA Sectional Championships.
The Tribe hosted the Grafton Bearcats at Morgan Field on Monday, May 6.
Grafton took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. That score would remain 1-0 all the way to the bottom of the seventh inning as both Berkeley Springs’ Luke Spielman (seven innings, six strikeouts, six hits and one run) and Grafton’s Chase Setler (nine strikeouts) put on a pitching clinic.
In the bottom of the seventh inning Berkeley Springs was down to its last out as leadoff hitter Cole Morris came to the plate. Morris ripped off a single and then promptly stole second base. Morris then moved to third on a passed ball. Number two batter Spielman then drew a walk and stole second base. With the tying run on third and the winning run on second senior Colby Farris came to the plate and lined a two run RBI single to clinch the 2-1 win for the Indians.
The Tribe hit the road for a long trip to Barbour County and a match up with the Philip Barbour Colts on Tuesday, May 7. With an exciting last at bat win from the day before still fresh in their minds the Tribe needed a win to get to #1 Frankfort.
Berkeley Springs took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning when Spielman doubled and scored on Farris’s RBI single to left field. Philip Barbour bounced back to take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the first inning.
In the second and third innings both teams failed to plate any runs. In the top of the fourth inning Berkeley Springs scored four runs to take a 5-2 lead. Sam Ambrose drew a walk and then moved over into scoring position on EJ Barkley’s single. Ambrose then scored on Morris’s RBI single. Spielman followed with a two run RBI double to score Barkley and Morris. Spielman scored on Farris’s RBI single.
Philip Barbour scored in the bottom of the fifth inning to cut the score to 5-3, but Morris closed the door on any Colts comeback. Morris went seven innings scattering six hits, allowing three runs and striking out eight batters.
Offensively the Indians were led by Morris (2-4, run, and RBI), Spielman (3-4, double, 2 runs and 2 RBIs), Farris (2-4, 2 RBIs), Carson Orndorff (2-4), Larry Miller (2-3, double and triple), Ambrose (run) and Barkley (1-3, run).
The Tribe hit the road on Thursday, May 9 to take on the #2 state ranked Frankfort Falcons in the championship side of the sectional bracket. Frankfort showed why they are a threat to win the state title jumping all over the Tribe pitching recording seven runs through the first four innings. Berkeley Springs rallied with two runs in the top of the fifth inning, but the Falcons shut the door on a comeback with three more runs over the last two innings to take a 10-2 win.
Spielman (2-3, run and a triple) and Miller (2-3, RBI) led the Tribe on the offensive end. Farris and Ambrose also had a hit. With the loss the Indians fell into the loser bracket and would have to wait on Friday’s consolation games to see where they would play.
With a little luck Grafton knocked off the Philip Barbour Colts so the Indians hosted Grafton on Saturday, May 11 with the winner advancing to face Frankfort in winner takes all game(s).
Grafton took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Berkeley Springs rallied with a run of their own in the bottom of the first when Farris homered to right center field.
Grafton bounced back and took a 3-1 lead in the top of the third inning. Berkeley Springs scored a run of their own to cut the score to 3-2 when Spielman singled and scored on a Farris RBI single.
Berkeley Springs tied the score at 3-3 when King drew a walk and then pinch runner Carson Stotler scored on Barkley’s RBI double to right field.
The Tribe broke the game open with three runs in the bottom of the fifth inning and two runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to take the 8-3 win.
Orndorff got the start on the mound going 2.1 innings and giving up three runs and four hits. Morris came in relief and went the final 4.2 innings allowing two hits and striking out five to pick up the win.
Offensively the Indians were led by Spielman (2-3, 2 runs and RBI), Farris (2-3, 2 runs, 2 RBIs and home run), Orndorff (2-3, run and 2 RBIs), Payton Mann (2-3, double and RBI), Barkley (1-2, double, run and RBI) and Morris (1-4, run).
The game with Frankfort was rained out Monday and rescheduled for Tuesday, May 14. In order for Berkeley Springs to win the sectional championship and advance to the Class AA Region II playoffs they will need to beat Frankfort twice.
