Clovers move to second round

Tuesday, May 30, 2006

CLAYTON - Managing to keep ahead of their opponent all game, the Cloverdale High School baseball team advanced to the semifinals of the Cascade Sectional on Monday after knocking off Tri-West, 5-0.

The Clovers (15-13) will face South Putnam in Thursday's first semifinal game at 5:30 p.m.

The Clovers had not face the Bruins this season, but CHS Coach Tim Savini knew his team was in for a good game.

"We knew they were going to put the ball in play," Savini said. "We knew we were going to have to play defense."

The Clovers also got a stellar performance from senior hurler Kyle McCammon. In seven innings, McCammon allowed three hits while walking six. He finished with 10 strikeouts.

"Kyle did a good job of pitching," Savini said.

Tri-West had runners reach third base in only three innings Monday.

The Clovers got on the board in the first inning after Jason Flory singled, driving in Chase Haltom who had reached base on an error.

Coty Blair provided the Clovers' second run after singling in Haltom in the top of the third inning. Haltom had reached base on a double.

Despite having a 2-0 lead through five innings, Savini said Tri-West starter Matthew Berry kept his hitters at bay.

"He had us off-balance," Savini said. "I knew they had some good pitchers. We figured this would be a low-scoring game."

Cloverdale tacked another run on the board in the top of the sixth inning after Jason Wilson singled in Brandon Mescall.

But Cody Nees saved the best for last for Cloverdale. With one out and Haltom on second via a double, Wilson smacked a two-run home run over the left-field fence, ensuring the Clovers a trip to the semifinals.

Savini said knowing Tri-West had some pitching, the Clovers had to take advantage of any hits they had.

"Going into it, that was our game plan," he said. "And you have to have some luck."

The Clovers finished with eight hits in the contest as both Haltom and Jason Flory were 2-for-4. Nees also had the homer while driving in two.

At Clayton

Cascade Sectional

First Round

Cloverdale 101 001 2 - 5 8 2

Tri-West 000 000 0 - 0 3 2

McCammon and Ct. Blair; Berry and Alexander

WP - McCammon

LP - Berry

D - Flater (TW), Haltom 2 (CHS)

HR - Nees (CHS)

Next Game - The Clovers (15-13) face South Putnam on Thursday at 5 p.m.

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