In a game listing six pitchers, a pair of six-run outbursts, fielding gems, offset by some sloppy play, Science Hill rallied to defeat host Ooltewah, 14-8 in eight innings Friday night in pool play in the Scenic City Baseball Classic.

The victorious Hilltoppers, who had lost 11-4 to St. Benedict in their afternoon pool play game at McCallie, trailed 6-1 after two innings and 7-3 after three, scored six in the eighth to secure the win.

“This is a real big win for us, especially after losing just a few hours earlier,’’ said Science Hill coach Ryan Edwards.

Edwards pointed to three turning points in the game; senior Bo Delgaico’s RBI pinch hit single which helped key a four-run fourth, steady relief pitching by junior Will Carter (4.2 innings, 1 Unearned run, 1 Hits, 3 strikeouts, 1 Walk) and a key double play started by senior shortstop Cory McPherson in the fourth.

Leading hitters for Science Hill were Carter (2-for-2, 1 run, 1 RBI), Will Craig (3-for-4, HR, 2 Runs, 2 RBIs), Bo Delgaico (2-for-3, 2 Runs, 3 RBIs) and Daniel Norris (2-for-4, 3 Runs), 1 RBI).

Leaders for Ooltewah were T.J. Binder (2 Doubles, 1Run), Tony Westerfield (2-for-2, 3 Runs, 1 RBI) and Brady Reed (Triple, 1 Run

Science Hill Fourth: Trailing 7-3, the Hilltoppers posted a four-spot to even the game at 7-7.

Delgaico’s one-out, pinch hit RBI single made it 7-5 and he later scored the tying run on a Greyson Janeway sacrifice fly. Delgaico had pinched hit for Jim Ashburn who was 0-for-2 in plate appearances in the second and third innings.

Six of the first seven Science Hill batters reached base (five singles, one double).

Ooltewah Fourth: The Owls led 6-3 going into the home half of the fourth and added a run on a one-out RBI single by Zach Zarzour.

But with runners on first and second, Carter came into relieve starter Andrew Sweeney and enticed Reed to ground into an impressive rally-killing, inning-ending double play.

Hilltopper shortstop McPherson’s dazzling stop of a Reed grounder up the middle was the start of the 6-4-3 inning-ending play. McPherson made the diving stop of Reed’s smash, then from his knees, flipped the ball to Thompson covering second, who in turn quickly threw to Nelson for the final out.

Both coaches pointed to that play as a turning point.

“If that ball goes through, then we lead 8-3 with only one out and two on and no telling what happens after that,’’ said Ooltewah coach Brian Hitchcox.

Strong Relief: Over the final four innings, Carter all but silenced the Owls bats, allowing one run and one hit to secure the win.

Science Hill Eighth: The visitors blew the game open as six straight batters reached base in the six-run inning.

A single (Craig), double (Delgaico) and single (Jackson Reid) plated four of the six runs.

THE Double Play: One Ooltewah mom was heard commenting, “that was major league’’ after viewing the McPherson-to-Zach Thompson-to-Kevin Nelson double play in the fourth.

Shades of Tinker to Evers to Chance (Cubs 1908 World Series) or Reese to Gilliam to Hodges (Dodgers, 1955 World Series) or Groat to Mazeroski to Stuart (Pirates 1960 World Series) or Kubek to Richardson to Skowron (Yankees, 1961 World Series) or Concepcion to Morgan to Perez (Reds, 1975 World Series).

Saturday:

10 a.m.: Science Hill at McCallie
1 p.m.: St. Benedict at Ooltewah; Farragut vs. Independence (at McCallie) and Baylor vs. Evangelical Christian (at McCallie).

7 p.m.: Championship game at Lookouts’ AT&T Field

Friday Scores:
Farragut 5, Evangelical Christian 2
Evangelical Christian 6, Independence 5
Independence 2, Baylor 1
St. Benedict 11, Science Hill 4
St. Benedict 8, McCallie 7
Science Hill 14, Ooltewah 8 (8 inn.)

Science Hill 14, Ooltewah 8
Science Hill………012 041 06 -- 14-17-5
Ooltewah…………060 101 00 -- 8-8-2
Sweeney, Carter (4) and Reid; DePrimo, Robinson (4), Sheets (5), Barnes (7) and Reed
WP – Carter; LP – Barnes

HR: SH (Will Craig)
3B: Ool (Brady Reed)
2B: SH (Norris, Delgaico); Ool (Binder)

contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net