Greencastle beats Owen Valley 11-7

Friday, May 3, 2013
Greencastle's Tanner Nicholson turns a double-play on Monday at Monrovia. Nicholson was the winning pitcher on Thursday, thanks in part to the Tiger Cubs' solid defense. (Banner Graphic/GRANT WIEMAN)

Having started the week with a split against Monrovia, Greencastle's baseball team was still searching for an elusive win at home as it took on Owen Valley Thursday.

A see-saw contest was decided in the sixth inning when the Tiger Cubs scored five times to claim their first home victory of the season 11-7.

Greencastle head coach Troy Remsburg said that it was as simple as cutting down on the fielding mistakes.

"Before the game, we told them if we minimize the errors, we can play and beat anybody," Remsburg said. "Tonight, we did. We had two errors and we hit the ball like we have all year."

The game got off to an inauspicious start for the hosts when Patriot Ronnie Schwartz hit a solo home run on the third pitch of the game.

Tanner Nicholson provided a reply with a single, a stolen base and a run on a Cole Pohlar-single.

Owen Valley retook the lead in the third after Schwartz singled and Nathen Swafford walked.

A single and an error plated Schwartz, while Swafford crossed home on a sac fly by Wes Arthur.

Greencastle responded in the bottom of the inning by scoring five times and sending all nine batters to the plate.

Nicholson reached second on an error and was driven in by a Holden King single. Landon Miller drove King home with a single, followed by a walk to Brandon Gierke.

Nick Gilliam plated Miller with a single and scored two pitches later, along with Gierke, on a two-run single by Brent Mangrum.

While only getting two runs to show for it, Miller's night was indicative of the approach of the team according to Remsburg.

Landon Miller had several big hits on Thursday, including this drive. (Banner Graphic/TRENT SCOTT)

"Landon Miller had an excellent game, going 3-4 on the night," Remsburg said. "He was able to find holes and hit the ball where their guys weren't. Several guys had good games at the plate but Landon sticks out the most."

The lead lasted until the fifth inning when a walk, a balk and an error set up a two-run double from Owen Valley's Chase Roberts.

Roberts scored on a double by Larry Shaffer, leading to Mangrum being replaced on the mound by Gilliam.

Gilliam picked up a ground out and strike out to strand Shaffer and keep the scores level at 6-6.

The Patriots took the lead for a final time in the top of the sixth inning when Schwartz again scored after the visitors loaded the bases and Nicholson, on in place of Gilliam, hit Roberts with a pitch.

Greencastle responded with an attack-minded bottom half of the inning, one in which Remsburg said the squad maximized its opportunities.

"We took advantage of base running tonight," Remsburg said. "We got a lot of people on and stole six bases in that final inning."

Seth Brown walked to start the rally, stole second to start a trend, then scored when Nicholson singled him home. Nicholson then stole a base and was scored by King.

Brent Mangrum makes a play on the first base line. (Banner Graphic/TRENT SCOTT)

King repeated the pattern and Pohlar scored the junior second baseman with a double. Pohlar then took third and scored on Miller's single.

Nathan Grzesiek came on for Miller, promptly stole second and scored later on a Patriots error to give the Tiger Cubs their winning score of 11-7.

Nicholson kept the Patriot offense quiet in the seventh and Greencastle secured its first home win of the season.

Perhaps most importantly to Remsburg, the squad continued to show the fighting spirit they had all season and were rewarded for their efforts.

"These guys don't give up," Remsburg said. "They keep fighting back.

"We had a lead tonight and even after Owen Valley came back, these guys fought on and that's what I love about them. They leave it out on the field, whether they win or lose."

Greencastle hosts Southmont on Saturday at 11:30 a.m. and, even without having played a full week of baseball yet this season, Remsburg said that the squad will continue to forge ahead.

"I think they'll come out like they have in these last few games," Remsburg said. "They're like most other teams and would rather be playing than practicing or being stuck inside because of weather.

"They were hungry tonight and they have been all season and I think they'll be hungry and ready to play again Saturday."

Tyler Scott throws the ball in from center field. (Banner Graphic/TRENT SCOTT)



At Greencastle
Owen Valley.................102 031 0 -- 7 6 2
Greencastle..................105 005 X -- 11 11 2

WP -- Nicholson (1-3)
LP -- Elliot (0-2)

HR: OV -- Schwartz (1)

Next Game: Greencastle hosts Southmont Saturday at 11:30 a.m.

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