Buchman’s force out, home run sparks New Kent in bounce back triumph over Grafton

New Kent’s Nick Redman (7) stretches out to haul in a throw from teammate Daniel Colgin (background) as the duo completes a double play.

Robb Johnson photo

After suffering their first setback of the year on the road at Poquoson, New Kent’s baseball team looked to right the ship as the visiting Grafton Clippers sailed in for the Apr. 13 contest. It would take a late home run from the Trojans’ Joe Buchman to provide the distance needed to pull out the win.

New Kent stretched a one-run lead into five in the bottom of the sixth inning as they survived for the 10-7 victory in the Bay Rivers District game.

New Kent maintained control of the game with a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the third inning. That lead increased by one with Brayden Heath hit a towering shot over the fence and into the bushes.

Grafton stayed competitive in the game, managing to get on base against Trojan hurler Nile Gammon. And while New Kent relief pitcher Carson Seely was able to settle things down, Grafton was able to add to runs in the top of the fourth to cut the Trojan advantage to two (5-3). The hosts bounced back by adding a run in the bottom of the frame.

But in the top of the sixth, the Clippers made their move. With the bases loaded, the visitors pushed two across the plate to get within one of the Trojans (6-5). New Kent weathered the attacked, with Buchman throwing out the tying run at the plate for the second out before the visitors popped up for out number three.

With New Kent at the plate in the bottom of the frame, it was Buchman who provided breathing room again for the hosts. His two-run shot upped the Trojans’ advantage to three runs (8-5). The Trojans pushed two more across the plate to provide more room. From there, New Kent would survive two additional runs incurred by Grafton at the top of the seventh to seal the win.

After the contest, New Kent Head Coach Trevor Ronan talked about his team’s success.

“My guys stepped up tonight, especially with those two home runs,” Ronan commented. “The play that we made at the plate was something we have been practicing on and I had a lot of confidence in my team that we would make the right play and they did.”

New Kent’s record improves to 7-1 on the season.