White House goes long to edge Patriots
WHTE HOUSE – Sparks always seem to fly whenever White House Heritage and White House get together.
Things were no different on Wednesday night as the two teams fought off temperatures in the mid-40s and light rain throughout the game, but it was the visiting Blue Devils who emerged victorious, scoring the go-ahead run in the top of the 13th inning for 3-2 win.
"It's a shame that someone had to lose this game, because both teams played so hard and made their share of plays," White House coach Seth Long said. "We've got some things that need to be cleaned up, but I was proud that our guys found a way to win."
Patriot head coach Chris Logsdon added, "This was a well-played baseball game by both teams. I can't say enough about the pitching on both sides. We both had chances to win this, but neither team was giving an inch out here tonight. White House finally put enough together to get a run across the plate, but even that play was close. I just can't say enough about my guys and how they played. We did everything a team could do except win the game, but that will come."
Ethan Escue was the third White House pitcher to take the mound, pitching the final four innings to earn the win.
White House Heritage's Brandon Searcy, also the third pitcher for his team, was saddled with the loss.
"I knew I had to come out and do my best, because I didn't want to let my teammates down," Escue said. "I was just out there trying to do my job, but once I saw (Noah Burden) get on base, I was okay because he can fly.
"Once we had that run, I was just bearing down and throwing, because I think we were all ready to end this one."
Wednesday night's contest, which lasted almost four hours, got off to a fast start as the Blue Devils scored a run in the top of the first inning.
White House (3-2 overall, 2-0 in District 9-AA) wasn't done there, adding another run in the top of the second when Eli Thomas led off with a double and moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Jacob Wiseman.
Cody Gentile struck out swinging, but Austin Wood dropped the third strike and threw to first, allowing Thomas to score to put the Blue Devils up 2-0 early in the contest.
That's where things remained until the Patriots were able to cut the lead in half in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Brennan Harper led things off with a single to leftfield, and Austin Wood followed with a single to centerfield.
A passed ball allowed both runners to move into scoring position, but it was a single by Cody Baker that allowed Harper slide home safely, getting under the tag of Gentile.
White House Heritage (0-4, 0-2) tied the game in the bottom of the sixth when Wood reached on an infield single, followed by walks to Ryan Keller and Tyler Leding to load the bases.
It looked as if White House might avoid disaster, getting two outs and two strikes on Searcy. However, a passed ball allowed Wood to score to tie the game.
The Patriots had chances in the bottom of the seventh and the eighth inning, but they left a baserunner stranded at third base in both innings.
White House also had a chance in the 10th inning when Wiseman doubled to shallow rightfield with two outs, but Zwbastion Mayorga made a sliding catch in deep leftfield to keep the game tied.
White House Heritage's best chance came in the bottom of the 10th when Jacob Thompson reached on an error and then moved to second on a passed ball. Keller singled to centerfield with two outs, and Thompson tried to score from second base. However, junior centerfielder Luke Hopkins threw to Gentile at home plate, and the tag was in time to retire Thompson and keep the Blue Devil hopes alive.
Burden led off the 13th inning with a single through the right side of the infield and stole second base. A passed ball allowed him to move to third, and Hopkins hit a sharp ground ball to third base. Burden took off for home plate on the throw to first base, scoring the game-winning run.
"This is one of those games where you just have to trust your pitchers and your catcher," Long said. "I had full confidence, no matter who was on the mound for us, and Cody did a great job behind the plate tonight.
"This is a good win for us, because it's a district win and a cross-town rivalry that's growing each year. But, to be honest, I would've hated for our guys to work this hard and not come away with the win. I know Heritage feels the same way, but someone had to win tonight. I'm just glad it was us."
White House swept the home-and-home series with Wednesday's win. The Blue Devils rolled to an 8-1 victory over the visiting Patriots on Tuesday evening.
White House was slated to play in the Wilson County Invitational over the weekend and will host Cheatham County for another district contest on Monday evening at 5.