by B.B. Branton
posted May 6, 2008
) Photo by Greg Davick |
The deciding game is Wednesday at Baylor at 5 p.m. Baylor won the opener on Monday, 4-3.
Smith (7-1), who had a no-hitter through three innings, won his sixth consecutive game of the season as he scattered four hits, struck out four and walked two. On offense, Smith was 2-for-4 and two RBIs.
“I am proud of the way Taylor pitched and we played good defense behind him,’’ said McCallie coach Chris Richardson.
McCallie started fast as three hits, a walk and an error produced a 3-0 lead in the top half of the first. Matt Vischetti (single), Alex Burd (double) and Stuart Voges (single) had RBI hits.
The Tornado (25-8) increased that lead to 6-0 in the fourth. Burd’s two-run double, followed by Smith’s ground out RBI highlighted the inning.
Baylor (27-5) scored single runs in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, but Smith was able to work of trouble in each inning.
“When Baylor scored in the fifth and sixth, we were able to counter with runs of our own in the top of the sixth and seventh to keep the pressure off,’’ stated Richardson. “Baylor is a big inning type team and can hurt you up and down the lineup.’’
Trailing 6-1 in the fifth, Baylor used two McCallie errors and consecutive singles by Dylan Craig and Tyler Massey to produce a run, but Smith struck out Andy Shuford and Isaac Edmonds to end the threat.
Zeth Stone led off the Baylor sixth with a double and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Nic Baker, but Smith again ended the inning with a strikeout, the third time he did that in the game.
“McCallie hit well tonight and we made some errors as we did in our game over there in April,’’ said Baylor coach Gene Etter. “We had some chances to get back in the game and they made some good plays.’’
Getting Out of Jams: Baylor had runners on first and second in the first, second and fifth innings, but Smith stopped the threats with a strikeout (first and fifth) and a double play (second).
Pick Off: Baylor pitcher’s has picked off two runners the past two games … Massey on Monday and reliever Josh Ernest tonight.
Plays of the Day: Baylor – to open the third, second baseman Isaac Edmonds ranged far to his left for a grounder and threw out Alex Burd from the outfield grass … McCallie followed with back-to-back singles but did not score.
McCallie – in the sixth, centerfielder Guerin Higgins made a sliding catch in shallow right center for the second out of the inning with a runner (Zeth Stone) on third, who did tag and score.
Pitching Leader: Taylor Smith leads the Tornado pitching staff with wins (7) and strikeouts (80) and has 15 career wins …
Home Winning Streak: Before tonight, Baylor’s home win streak was 14 over two seasons … the last home loss at Wyatt McMahan Field was to McCallie in the second game of the three game playoff series in 2007.
McCallie 8, Baylor 3
McCallie - 300 301 1 – 8-12-3
Baylor - 000 111 0 – 3-4-6
Smith and Vischetti; Edmonds, Ernest (2), Stansell (5) and Shuford
WP – Tyler Smith (7-1); LP – Isaac Edmonds
Strikeouts: McC – Smith (4); Bay – Stansell (2)
Earned Runs Allowed: McC (2), Bay (5)
Hitting: McCallie – Alex Burd (3 doubles, 3 RBIs, 2 runs) James Campbell (2 hits, 2 runs), Taylor Smith (2 hits, 2 RBIs), Stuart Voges (2 hits, 1 RBI); Baylor – Dylan Craig (single), Tyler Massey (single), Isaac Edmonds (single, one run), Zeth Stone (double, one run), Will Stansell (RBI), Nic Baker (RBI).
Stolen Bases: McC – Campbell; Bay – Edmonds
Double Plays: McC (1); Bay (1)
Records: Baylor, 27-4; McCallie, 24-8
Time of Game: 2: 28
Next Game: Wednesday 5 p.m.; McCallie at Baylor
contact B.B. Branton at william.branton@comcast.net
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