GW Maroons defeat Auburn

Maroons Rally to Beat Auburn

By LEE GRIMES/Correspondent

George Wythe traveled to Auburn on a very windy Wednesday afternoon and rallied in the top of the seventh inning to defeat the Eagles 4-2 in a non-district contest. The Maroons improved their record to 7-5.
B.J. Cregger started on the mound for GW, striking out three and walking one. Devin Smith relieved Cregger in the sixth inning and got the win for the Maroons. Smith struck out four and walked two Eagle batters in two complete innings. Derrick Duncan took the loss for Auburn, striking out five and walking five Maroons.
George Wythe threatened in the first inning when Robert Yonce was walked and then quickly stole second base. Yonce tried to make something happen, but was tagged trying to steal third base for the third out. Auburn managed two base runners, but neither was able to get past first base, as the inning ended in a scoreless tie.
Jared Mosier hit a single in the top of the second inning, but a line drive to the Auburn shortstop and two GW strikeouts ended the side.
Tyler Stanger took a free pass for the Eagles when he was hit by a pitch and then advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt by Ian Lipsey. Stanger stole third base, but was tagged out on the back end of an unassisted double play by GW third baseman Michael Jones. Jones caught a Drew Kenley line drive and alertly tagged Stanger to complete the double play. At the end of two complete innings, the score was tied at 0-0.
Maroon seniors, Smith and Yonce, hit back to back doubles in the top of the third inning. Yonce hit a long ball to right center field and Smith matched the shot to left center field, earning an RBI as Yonce crossed home plate. A put-out by Auburn second baseman Keifer Titus ended the top of the third inning.
Cregger fanned two Eagle batters and threw a batter out at first base to give GW a 1-0 lead going in to the top of the fourth inning.
George Wythe went three up and three down in the top of the fourth inning with three straight Auburn put-outs.
Duncan and Stanger both reached first base on GW errors and later scored to give the Eagles a 2-1 lead after four complete innings.
Kelly Kline reached base first for the Maroons in the top of the fifth inning. Kline stole second and then third base. Yonce also drew a walk and then stole second base. Auburn decided to load the bases by pitching around Smith, giving him an intentional walk. Brett Grimes was ready to take his chances with the bases loaded and two outs when Maroon Skipper Jason Luttrell sent Kline from third base, in an attempt to tie the score by stealing home. Kline executed the play well, but fell short on a close call at the plate for the third out of the inning.
Another strikeout by GW pitcher Cregger and two put-outs by Grimes accounted for a quick three up and three down at bat for Auburn. Auburn remained atop a 2-1 score.
Grimes led off in the top of the sixth inning with a single that deflected off the pitcher’s leg. Grimes then stole second base. Josh Stephens was called on to hit a sacrifice bunt, trying to advance Grimes to third base, but the bunt attempt popped up and was caught by the Eagle third baseman. Jared Mosier drew a walk to put runners on first and second. Grimes then tried to steal third base, but was caught in a pickle on a controversial no call balk, that was contested by Luttrell, for the second out.
On the very next pitch, the Auburn pitcher was called for a balk by the same field umpire, which advanced Mosier to second. A GW strikeout stranded Mosier on second and ended the side for the Maroons.
Smith took the mound to start the bottom of the sixth inning and teamed up with the Maroon defense to only allow four Eagle batters to the plate. A put-out from catcher Vernon Holland, a pop fly to right fielder Timmy Goins and a strikeout by Smith ended the inning. Auburn kept its slim 2-1 lead going in to the top of the seventh and final inning.
Goins drove a two strike pitch to short left field, giving him a single to start the top of the seventh inning. He then stole second base. A well placed sacrifice bunt by Holland advanced Goins to third base. Kline reached first base on an error by the Eagle second baseman. While trying to steal second base, the Eagle catcher attempted to throw Kline out, but the throw sailed over the shortstop’s head and sent Kline to third base, and also scoring Goins.
Yonce then drew another of his three walks for the game and wasted no time stealing second base. Smith then hit a clutch single to left field that scored both Kline and Yonce, giving GW the 4-2 lead.
The Maroon rally stalled but, with Smith on the mound, the chances looked good for George Wythe to pull out the victory. As he has many times in his career, Smith took the challenge and struck out three straight batters, on 13 pitches, to end the game and secure the 4-2 win for George Wythe.
The Maroons were scheduled to travel to Holston last Thursday and slated to host Patrick Henry last night. GW is scheduled to travel to Chilhowie on Tuesday.

George Wythe 001 000 3—4 6 2
Auburn 000 200 0—2 0 1
Duncan and Jennings, Kenley (7) and Duncan. Cregger and Smith, Smith (6) and Holland. W-Smith. L-Duncan. HR-None.