After losing lead, New Kent’s late rally falls short

New Kent pitcher Cameron Downer reaches between his legs in an attempt to tag out York's sliding Hunter Collins at the plate following a wild pitch. Collins was ruled safe.

Alan Chamberlain photo

Chalk up New Kent’s Tuesday baseball loss as the one that got away. The host Trojans managed three-run leads on two occasions and held a 5-3 advantage with only two innings to go. But during a disastrous sixth inning that featured five wild pitches and a passed ball, York’s Falcons added five runs, setting the stage for an eventual 8-7 victory.

“There are things that you have to do that are non-negotiable in baseball, and we didn’t do them. You’ve got to clean up your game,” said Trojan coach Ronnie Cox, pointing to what transpired in the sixth frame.

“We had a 5-3 lead late and at that point it’s time to tighten down and play defense and put the ball in play, but we didn’t do it,” he said.

York jumped on top 1-0 in the first, but the hosts used RBI singles from Trey Cox and Christian Hamby to forge in front. Cox then doubled in Steven Carpenter (single) and Chris Roman (fielder’s choice) to up the advantage to 4-1 in the second.

After York added a run in the fourth, New Kent got the score back on an error that allowed Austin Pierce, running for starting pitcher Wyatt Delong (single), to cross the plate. Another solo Falcon run in the fifth cut the margin to 5-3.

Delong, meanwhile, had pitched out of jams in three straight innings, but could not survive the sixth. After striking out York’s leadoff hitter, he bounced a pitch off the next batter and surrendered a RBI triple to Jamie Lewis.

A pitching change brought in reliever Cameron Downer, but the Falcons’ Gabe Simmons jumped on Downer’s first offering for a single that tied the game. Three more runs scored before Downer could put out the fire.

Trailing 8-5 in the bottom of the seventh, New Kent staged a last ditch rally. Roman led off, reaching base on an error and prompting a York pitching change. The Falcons resorted to their staff’s ace, Eric Harp.

“When they brought [Harp] in, I knew we’d have our hands full,” coach Cox said. “He’s a Division 1 prospect, but we took some pitches and got some walks. We got’em on base, but we couldn’t get’em all in.”

Harp walked Trey Cox, putting two aboard for Mitchell Metheny who stroked a one out, RBI single past shortstop. An error on a ball off the bat of Tyler Jenkins loaded the bases. Harp then forced in New Kent’s seventh run by walking Hunter Pitts.

The Trojans had the potential tying run on third and winning run standing at second, but Harp fanned the next two batters to end the affair.

“I’m proud of our guys,” coach Cox said after his team fell to 2-8. “They never gave up, and they came back and put us in position to win.”