Metheny’s complete game propels New Kent to first baseball win

New Kent first baseman Trey Cox tags Essex's Brian Richards for the game's final out after the runner was caught in a rundown between first and second.

Alan Chamberlain photo

A complete game from pitcher Mitchell Metheny coupled with clutch hitting to help break a fifth inning deadlock lifted New Kent’s host Trojans to a 6-3 triumph over Essex Trojans.

Monday’s outcome marked the Trojans’ first baseball victory of the season after three straight losses.

“You’ve got to make plays, and we did that today. You’ve got to make plays to get better,” said New Kent coach Ronnie Cox.

“I thought Mitchell pitched real well,” the coach said. “He pitched like he wanted to win the game, so I was real impressed with him.”

Metheny scattered five hits while striking out three and walking four. The hurler, however, had to weather trouble in the fifth inning when the visitors overcame a 3-1 New Kent lead to forge a tie behind Brian Richard’s two-run double.

After deadlocking the game, Essex continued to threaten with the bases loaded and only one away. Third baseman Cameron Downer, however, bailed out his pitcher, snagging a sharp line drive and stepping on the bag at third for an inning-ending double play.

“It was catch and step,” said Cox. “That was a big play because their kid really tagged the ball.”

With the Essex uprising cut short, New Kent bats went to work in the bottom of the frame. Tyler Jenkins led off with a single between shortstop and third. Brennan Gray walked, and both runners advanced on Downer’s sacrifice bunt. Pinch hitter Desmond Glover then put the hosts back in front to stay, driving in Jenkins on an infield sacrifice.

Gray scored on a balk. Then with runners on first and third, Trey Cox’s infield single delivered the game’s final run.

Earlier, the hosts scored once in the first after Cox doubled off the fence in right field. A throwing error on Mason Tate’s grounder drove in Cox.

New Kent added a second run in the third on Chris Roman’s double to center that scored Steven Carpenter (walk). Essex got a run back in fourth before the hosts produced their third run in the bottom of the frame on Roman’s second RBI double of the game, this time into the gap in left-center after Carpenter, who had three stolen bases for the afternoon, drew another walk.

For the game, New Kent stroked eight hits and took advantage of eight walks issued by Essex pitchers.