In a game matching two of the best lefty pitchers in the area, Cambridge's Austin Weiermiller got the better of his counterpart in the end. But it took some drama and clutch hitting by the Bears to enable a 3-2 victory for the home team.
Sprayberry would take the early lead in the first inning. A leadoff infield single got things started. The 2-hole hitter came to the plate and quickly got behind 0-2. But the Sprayberry hitter lofted the next pitch over the fence in right field, clearing the fence just inside the foul pole, to push the visitors to a quick 2-0 lead. Two batters later resulted in yet another hit for the Jackets, but Weiermiller buckled down and retired the next two hitters to limit the damage. In fact, the junior lefty would not allow another hit the rest of the game.
The Bears came back in their half of the first to grab a run of their own. Crew Cohoes hit a hard ground ball down the right field line and stretched it out for a triple to put a runner in scoring position. Pete Gottschalk came to the plate and lofted a soft liner just over the second baseman to make the score 2-1. Cambridge threatened again in the second. Luke Foote led off with a single. However a strike-out and throw-out erased that chance. Brett Hawkins and Cameron Moore then singled with two outs, but were left stranded.
Both pitchers cruised through the next few innings, but the Bears would add an equalizer in the fifth. Brett Hawkins singled then moved to second on a Moore sacrifice. Davis Dasher was hit by a pitch. Gottschalk came to the plate with two outs and delivered a clutch single to right to knock in Hawkins and make the score 2-2. Weiermiller had a 1-2-3 top of the sixth, setting the stage for the pivotal rally.
With one out in the home half of the sixth, Luke Foote legged out an infield hit. Sam Waylock entered the game to run for the catcher. An out later, Brett Hawkins lined a single to center that moved a stealing Waylock to third. Hawkins advanced to second on the throw. The Jackets went to their bullpen to bring in a righty to face Cameron Moore. Down 0-1, the Sprayberry pitcher tried a curve, but the ball bounced in the dirt and landed about 15 feet away from the catcher. Waylock made a dash for home and just beat the tag in a bang-bang play to put Cambridge on top for the first time in the game, 3-2.
The Jackets got their leadoff batter on base in the seventh via a walk, then moved him to second via a sacrifice bunt. But that would be all as Weiermiller struck out the next hitter and induced a grounder back to the pitcher to end the game.
Weiermiller gained his fifth win of the season, going seven innings and allowing the three early hits with 10 strikeouts and a pair of walks. Brett Hawkins and Pete Gottschalk led the way offensively. Hawkins had three hits in as many at bats and scored a run. Gottschalk had two clutch RBIs via his two singles. Luke Foote also had a pair of hits.
The Bears and Jackets continue their series this Wednesday, April 6th at Sprayberry HS. Game time is noon.
Go Bears!
