After squandering big lead, New Kent rebounds to upset Jamestown

New Kent's Austin Connolly (3) slides safely into scond base under the tag of a Jamestown player.

Robb Johnson photo

Just like the weather, the homestanding New Kent Trojans scorched the visiting Jamestown Eagles for seven early runs. However, a great comeback orchestrated by Jamestown made for extra drama in Tuesday afternoon’s affair.

The Trojans came up clutch after a seventh inning pitching change, holding on for a 13-12 victory to upset the Eagles.

New Kent pounded Eagles starting pitcher Spencer Pietruszynski early on. Leading 1-0, Nate Kagey’s base hit drove home Trojan baserunner Riggs Ellis. A blast into right field by teammate Chris Wade pushed Jacob Stout and Nick Sorensen across the plate to provide a 4-0 lead for the hosts. The onslaught continued, as a John Mehalko two-RBI double added to the hosts advantage. Tack on an additional run and New Kent held a 7-0 lead after one inning of play.

The Trojans maintained an 8-2 lead in the top of the fifth when Jamestown began to find success. The eagles added six runs in the top of the frame to knot the game at eight apiece. However, the Trojans recovered, adding a total of five runs in the bottom of the fifth and sixth inning to take a 13-9 advantage into the final frame.

The Eagles refused to back down, scoring three more runs before registering an out against the hosts. The additional runs brought the guests within one (13-12) and forced a Trojan pitching change. With Sorenson on the mound, the hurler calmly struck out the first two batters before forcing a ground-out to first base to conclude the contest.

Trojans’ head coach Michael Kuper expressed elation and humbleness in the upset win over Jamestown.

“They are a great club and we opened up some opportunities for them,” he said. “However, we were able to regain things and take the final lead.

“It’s always fun to jump out and get the lead,” Kuper continued. “However, we can’t get comfortable like that against a team like Jamestown.”

New Kent moves to 6-7 with the win.