The Cardiac Bulldogs struck again Wednesday night. The Marlboro County High baseball team pulled out a thrilling 7-6 win over Lake City in extra innings, critical in keeping their playoff hopes alive.
“We led most of the game, then had one bad inning. Instead of giving up, they showed their grit and found a way to win,” said head coach Ryan Pierce.
“Considering that we just had a week of inactivity due to COVID, this was really a good performance tonight,” said Pierce, whose team hadn’t played since April 23.
With the score tied at six in the bottom of the tenth inning, freshman catcher Jonathon Westbay slapped a ball past the Panthers’ short stop, allowing Brandon Murphy to score from second base.
Westbay’s game-winner was the third time the Bulldogs have ended a home with a walk-off score.
Marlboro County jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Tanner Cheek led off with a single and moved to second on a bunt single by Tristan Hunt.
Cheek scored minutes later on a fielder’s choice hit by Michael Norris. Norris scored on a line drive single by Braxton Hunt.
Tristan Hunt led off the third with a double, then scored on another single by Braxton Hunt.
The Panthers got back in the game with one swing of the bat in the fourth. With a runner on first due to an error, the Panthers got a home run over the center field fence.
The game remained 3-2 until the seventh. A walk, a hit batter and a single allowed the Panthers to tie the contest. After a strikeout, Lake City took the lead for the first time with a single that drove in two more runs.
With two runners on, Michael Norris struck out the final two Panther batters to give the Bulldogs a chance in the bottom of the inning.
With Tristan Hunt and Norris on base, Braxton Hunt blasted a triple to right field, tying the game and forcing extra innings.
Lake City took the lead in the top of the eighth with a run generated by three singles and a sacrifice bunt.
Again facing a “must score” situation, the Bulldogs manufactured a run to prolong the game. Cutler Norris led off with a single and moved up on a sacrifice bunt by Westbay. Cheek singled to center field, driving in Norris, re-tying the game at 6-6.
In the ninth, the Bulldogs got a two-out double by Levi Radford but could not get the hit needed to drive him in.
Michael Norris mowed down the Panthers in order in the top of the tenth, allowing the Bulldogs to pull out the win with a run in the bottom of the inning.
Murphy led off with a ground ball single. He moved up to second on a passed ball. After a pop fly out, Westbay coolly provided the game winner.
Offensively, it was a banner night for the Bulldogs, who pounded out 17 hits.
Braxton Hunt led the charge, going 4 for 5 with four RBIs. Cheek was 3 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored. Murphy, Tristan Hunt and Michael Norris were 2 for 5.
Cheek started on the mound and pitched a terrific five and two-thirds innings, allowing only four hits while striking out four.
Michael Norris finished the game and earned the win, striking out five in four and one-third innings.
The Bulldogs will now face a two-game series with Camden that will determine their playoff fate. If they sweep the “other Bulldogs”, Marlboro County will be assured a playoff spot. They may still get in with a split but cannot make the postseason if they get swept.
Marlboro County will host Camden tonight (Thursday) beginning at 6:30.