By Scott Richards
Prior to last week, the Caroline diamond boys were on a win streak taking four out of the last six games. The team has come together and are playing intelligent, small ball, but last Wednesday’s game against Chancellor was a major test to see just how well they really were. They passed the test with flying colors, winning a close game 4-0 on a night when much of the Cavalier batting corps was either silent or subdued. A win to remember, it was the most impressive of the season as it did not depend on big plays or big bats, but was a victory that was won by the entire team.
Both teams battled for the first four innings with Caroline holding on to a 1-0 advantage gained in the first inning as Tyler Tarrh scored on a wild pitch by Chancellor’s Kaleb Stowe. In the fifth inning Tarrh again reached base on a single and was accompanied by Cole Grinde who arrived on first after being hit by a pitch. Ryan Hickman hit a double, scoring bothTarrh and Grinde, but was tagged out as he tried to stretch his double into a triple. In the sixth inning, Bill Wojcik picked up an RBI hitting a single that scored Adam George.
Collin Hess was awarded the win, pitching a complete game. Hess allowed only two singles, struck out eight and walked one. Matt Carter showed he can not only pitch, but is a force to be reckoned with behind the plate catching. Offensively, Wojcik bat 2-3 earning an RBI, followed by Hickman, who was 1-3 (a double) and two RBI. Tarrh hit 1-4 adding two runs to his stats.
Charger pitcher, Kaleb Stowe pitched four and one third innings and was charged with the loss. He allowed three runs and four hits, striking out four and walking four. Reliever Adam Stillabower came in in the fifth inning and was responsible for one run and two hits while striking out one and walking one. Closer Jordan Fowler pitched the last two thirds of the sixth inning. Thomas Cabrera caught the entire game.
This week Caroline is scheduled to travel to Brooke Pointe on Thursday and then play host to Midlothian on Friday. Next week, Spotsylvania will come to Bowling Green to play the Cavaliers on Wednesday and then the diamond boys hit the road on Friday to avenge their 2-0 loss to King George at the beginning of the season.