BASEBALL

It was Bryce Deckman’s walk-off base on balls that lifted the Huntington baseball team past Manchester, 9-8, Tuesday afternoon at Forest Glen Park. Including tonight’s nail-biter, these two squads have only met up twice in the last five years with HU coming out on top the first time too 10-1.

After playing to a 1-1 tie through the first three innings, Frame’s crew outscored the Spartans 7-2 in the middle three frames for what seemed a comfortable 8-3 lead heading into the latter part of the game.

But things took a drastic turn in the seventh. After piecing together three singles to drive in a run, the guests proceeded to load the bases. It took just one mighty swing after that to deadlock things at 8-8 compliments of Jared Holley’s grand slam.

Both teams camp up empty in the eighth but the action started up again in the ninth. MU’s lead off singled his way on base to necessitate a pitching change. Isaac Horton was called up from the bullpen to get his team out of the jam and he did just that. After issuing a free pass, he settled in to work a fielder’s choice, struck out the next batter and then coaxed a fly out.

The Foresters had the final say. After Cam Clarkson picked a spot down the left field line to drop in a single, Zach Pelletier drew a walk. Everyone was safe on Sam Kestranek’s fielder’s choice to load the bases setting up Deckman’s heroics. Behind the count 0-2, the junior outfielder had ice in his veins as he calmly turned the tables on MU closer Hunter Aker to work the walk.

Huntington sifted through five Spartan pitchers with Aker taking the loss. Frame’s crew relied on four Foresters to get the job done on the hill with Horton eventually enjoying the win. He worked the final three outs having given up a walk while striking out one in the process.

HU outhit Manchester 13-12. Clarkson had a big day at the plate where he went three-for-five which included a moonshot over the right field fence for a two-run homer in the fifth. Jordan Malott also drove in two runs with one swing in the sixth, a double into deep left field.

Beyounce Paco Paulina racked up three base knocks and an RBI while Deckman tallied two RBI with his game-winning walk and a sac fly in the fourth.

With this win, HU improves to 10-9 on the year. The Foresters turn their attention back to league play this weekend with a trip to Mount Vernon.