SM ties game with rally in seventh; wins on Day's walk in 10th inning

Smoky Mountain second baseman Justin Ray makes a relay throw to first in last week's game against South Broward (Fla.). The Mustangs tied the score with seven runs in the seventh inning and won 10-9 in 10 frames. - Herald photo by Carey Phillips

Jake Day walked on a 3-2 pitch with the bases loaded and one out in the bottom of the 10th to force in the winning run against the 5-A opponent from Hollywood, Fla.

Coach Tim Hawkins said the Bulldogs are leading their Florida district.

This was the second time this season the Mustangs had staged a late rally to win in 10 innings.

"This shows we're never out of a game," said Hawkins, who added his team could have given up hope in the seventh but refused to do so.

South Broward had appeared to put the game on ice with a three-run seventh for the 9-2 advantage. Daniel Evers, who drove in five runs in the game, had a two-run single, and Drew Manning added a sacrifice fly.

The Mustang rally in the bottom of the seventh started when Trent Dillard was hit by a pitch. With one out, Matt Hopkins singled, and Josh Carnes had an RBI double. Israel Vargas and Tony Belcher both followed with RBI singles cutting the gap to 7-4.

After the second out, Justin Ray singled to load the bases. Jake Lunnen cleared the sacks with a triple making it a one-run game. Dillard brought home the tying run with a double.

The uprising came against Sammy Montanez, the hardest thrower South Broward sent to the mound.

"I can't ever remember being down by seven runs in the seventh inning and coming back to win the game," Hawkins said. "They put somebody on the mound that threw hard with a little curve ball. It was more to our timing, and we got the bat on the ball."

Hawkins cited Belcher for his key single in the seventh that came in a pinch-hit role. He noted the hit kept the inning going and brought up the top of the order.

A bunt single by Felipe Melendez scored a runner from third to put South Broward up 1-0 in the first.

Evers belted a home run with two men on base in the second for a 4-0 lead.

The margin reached 5-0 in the third as Dee Callins singled and eventually scored on a wild pitch.

Singles by Ray and Lunnen and Dillard's double put the Mustangs on the board in the bottom of the third.

Hopkins led off the fourth with a base hit and later scored on a ground ball by Dustin Melton cutting the gap to 5-2.

Greg Palidora's RBI single made it 6-2 in the fifth.

Lunnen (4-3) went the last inning and a third for the win. Andy Matheson escaped a jam in the seventh and pitched two and two thirds innings of scoreless relief.

Dillard had a perfect day at the plate as he was three of three with a walk and was twice hit by pitches. Hopkins went three of six while Ray and Lunnen were each two of six.

Horney was three of five for the Bulldogs. Evers and Manning went two of four, and Callins was two of five.

The Mustang JVs traveled to East Henderson the following day and came away with an 8-4 victory. Brody Frizzell, Ben Robinson and Stephen Karby were all two of three. Frizzell and Robinson both hit home runs, and Frizzell also had a double.

Coach Bill Rice said Karby bounced back from a tough outing his previous pitching start to claim the win. He went four innings and gave up three runs while striking out four. Frizzell also pitched well as he went three innings and struck out five while giving up one run.

"It was a big win for us," Rice said. "We just played a real good game."

Back to Sports: 04/19/01.