Steals, sacrifices, bunts highlight New Kent’s 9-6 win over Warhill

New Kent first baseman Trey Cox gloves a pickoff throw as Warhill's Lucas Rice dives safely back to the bag.

Alan Chamberlain photos

After watching their early 4-0 lead evaporate on a four-run Warhill fifth inning, New Kent’s Trojans responded with respective three- and two-run frames to build a seemingly safe 9-4 advantage with the visiting Lions down to their last at-bat.

And even with two away in the seventh, the hosts had to weather a Lion rally that pushed across two runs and had the bases loaded with the go-ahead run at the plate. Wiping the nervous sweat off their brows, the Trojans held on Tuesday for a 9-6 triumph.

“I’ve been trying to be really economical with my pitchers’ arms what with the pitching regulations the way they are,” said a much-relieved Ronnie Cox, the Trojans’ head coach.

Michael Carpenter started on the mound for the hosts, giving away to reliever Chris Beshai, the eventual winner, in the fifth. Then with his team up 9-4 in the seventh, Cox elected to bring in Brennan Gray who had spent most of the season on JV.

“I went with the younger kid [Gray] thinking we’d be safe with a five-run lead,” Cox said.

Gray got the first out on a bouncer back to the mound. The next batter, Robert Lipford, singled up the middle, but promptly got picked off on a Gray throw to first baseman Trey Cox for the second out.

But notching out number three proved elusive. Gray bounced a pitch off Holden Lipscomb and gave up a single to Blake Otey. Lucas Rice then singled to left, driving in Lipscomb for the Lion’s fifth run before Gray walked Noah Ripchick to load the bases.

Coach Cox opted for Steven Carpenter to relieve Gray, but concern elevated as Carpenter walked Pat Daly to force home the Lions’ sixth run, putting the tying run aboard and bringing the go-ahead run to the plate. Carpenter, however, broke the tension, fielding a weak grounder off the bat of Jordan Hackney for an unassisted putout at first.

“Steven has had some arm soreness, but he threw strikes and got that last out,” Cox said.

Early on and despite Warhill threats on the base paths, New Kent built a 4-0 lead through four innings. Steven Carpenter doubled and scored on Michael Carpenter’s fly ball in the first. Then in the third, Steven reached on an error, escaped a rundown situation between second and third, and scored on Michael’s single to right.

Trey Cox bunted to get aboard in the fourth before Clay Simpson walked. Cox scored on an error while Simpson raced home on a wild pitch to open the 4-0 margin.

After Warhill knotted the contest in the fifth, the Trojans moved back in front to stay on Tyler Lambert’s RBI single that drove in Steven Carpenter (single). Sacrifice fly balls from Kevin Karaffa and Trey Cox upped the advantage to 7-4.

Simpson bunted safely to start the Trojan sixth before scoring again on a wild pitch. Michael Carpenter’s sacrifice fly delivered the hosts’ final run.

“I’m proud of the way we executed with sacrifices, stolen bases, and bunt singles,” coach Cox said afterward. “We did a lot of those little things that are difficult to do and don’t show up in the scorebook but make a difference. I’m proud of them being able to execute as a team.”

The Trojans (11-7) close out the regular season Thursday with a doubleheader at Bruton. Those final games are expected to determine if they host a conference tournament quarterfinal contest on Memorial Day or have to play on the road.

Steven Carpenter looks over his shoulder at Warhill third baseman Jordan Bailey while trying to avoid being tagged out in a third inning rundown between second and third. Carpenter sprinted safely back to second and moments later scored New Kent’s second run.