McConnel's Grand-Slam Propels Spartans Past Titans 9-8
Mount Tabor traveled to Clemmons to face the Titans of West Forsyth for what turned out to be a tight, edge of your seat CPC Battle. West made their presence known after they shut down the Spartans 1,2,3 in the top of the inning and then tallied up 2 runs off of a couple of walks, past balls and a close call in their favor at first. Jamie Nunn, who started the game for Mount Tabor, hit a deep solo home run in the top of the second inning in retaliation to cut West's lead to 2-1. The Titans were resilient however, as Tabor Coach Mike Lovelace would put it, "They're not just gonna see 'Spartans' on our jerseys and roll over." The Titans racked up 5 more runs off of a few hits and a three run homer. Things started to look bleak for the Spartans when they stranded runners on 1st and 3rd their next at bat in the top of the 4th and were trailing 7-1. Jon Gordon, who was on the DL after a scary batted ball to the face last Friday night, came in for Nunn and got to work quick by shutting down the Titans in the bottom of the 4th. The Spartans put on their rally caps in the 5th inning, just like they did last night vs. East, with consecutive hits from Gordon, Ronan and Callahan, loading the bases quickly. WIth one out, Montana Dawson hit an dribbler to the pitcher who threw to the plate for what looked like an easy force out. But the throw was a little wide and the catcher's foot came off the plate so Gordon was safe. An infield error scored Ronan next, closing the gap to 7-3. Cole Penn stepped in and singled to left making the score 7-4 still 1 out and bases loaded. Jamie Nunn struck out for the second out and Matt McConnell, former Titan, stepped up to the plate with the based loaded. McConnell worked the count to 3-2, then smashed a big-time grand slam to left giving the Spartans it's first lead of the night, 8-7. The big 5th inning ended with 7 runs off of 5 hits. Gordon stepped up with a huge K to end the fifth with Titan runners on 2nd and 3rd and preserving their 1 run lead. The sixth inning went by quickly for both teams. Tabor got what would be a crucial insurance run in the top of the 7th via another Matt McConnel RBI to extend their lead to 2 heading into the bottom of the last inning against a formidable West Forsyth offense. The Titans would not go down easily and threatened to start a rally as they lead off the inning with a triple. WIth one out, Nunn fielded a shot to short and threw it inside the bag at first, down the line. Cole Penn made a nice catch and was immediately rammed by the hustling West batter knocking each man to the ground. But Penn popped up, ball in glove, and second out was called! But the runner scored, narrowing the lead to just one. Gordon "one-eyed" the next batter and struck him out to end the game and close the books on a classic Tabor/West game: MT 9 WF 8! This was maybe one of the best games between these two rivalries in years. Tabor starts a winning streak of two games and stand at 2-7 on the season and 1-3 in the CPC, West drops to 2-2 in the CPC. MT goes to Myrtle Beach this week to play four games at Cal Ribken Experience. We'll be live and tweeting from the park!
Video Highlight Courtesy of WXII High School Playbook:
Jamie Nunn, Jon Gordon (4) and Hank Niblock; Ryan Mayhew, Ian Walsh (5) and Josh Clark. WP — Gordon (1-1). LP — Mayhew (1-2). 3B - WF: Mayhew. HR — MT: Nunn, Matt McConnell; WF: Max Uhlig. Records — Mount Tabor 2-7 (1-3 CPC 4-A), West Forsyth 6-3 (2-2)