Moscow claims dramatic win over Bulldogs
SANDPOINT — A game that began with a bang, ended with a bang Tuesday afternoon at War Memorial Field.
A close play at the plate after a double steal attempt proved to be the play of the game as Moscow won a dramatic 10-9 extra inning affair in the loser out game of the 4A Region 1 baseball tournament.
Both teams came out a little nervous defensively and aggressive offensively, each scoring five runs in the first inning, and then each scoring three runs in the second, providing the bulk of the runs in a game that was tight from start to finish.
“It was a crazy game,” said a disappointed Sandpoint head coach Doug Semones, whose team lost its second straight one-run game. “Down five and we came back and tied it. Down three and we tied it, then the game slowed down.”
Cole Tonnemacher and Woody Hawkins combined to throw seven innings in quality relief of starter Jordan Hammack, who didn’t make it out of the first inning.
“Jordan didn’t pitch bad, we just didn’t back him up,” said Semones of his starter.
Cory Hawkins and Woody Hawkins each drove in two runs for the Bulldogs (10-10), including a line drive home run to straight away center by Cory Hawkins. The two brothers ended up being part of the most pivotal play of the game later on.
After Zach Hull broke a 9-9 tie in the top of the eighth inning win an RBI single to put Moscow (3-18) in front, Sandpoint staged a rally in the bottom of the inning. Cory Hawkins reached base and advanced to second on a ground out. With one out, Woody Hawkins blooped an infield single which dropped in front of the Moscow second basemen to put runners at the corners with one out and Sandpoint down a run.
On the next pitch, Woody stole second, which drew a quick throw from the Moscow catcher as Cory broke for home. The Moscow second baseman cut the throw off and pegged the ball back to home plate. The throw beat the runner, and Cory tried to knock the ball loose by bowling over the catcher. In high school baseball that is an automatic out as the runner must either slide or avoid the tag.
But Sandpoint refused to quit, as Joel Cramer followed that play with a base hit, and Cody Reichart drew a walk to load the bases with two outs. Kyle Gibson then stung a ball which one-hopped off the chest of the Moscow third baseman, who promptly stepped on his bag to end the game.
“We had a play at the plate and didn’t do it,” said Semones, who said his team endured a hard year. “We kept battling back. Even at the end, we never stopped fighting.”
Moscow 530 010 01 — 10 10 2
Sandpoint 531 000 00 — 9 10 4
Hayden Maxwell, Matt Martin (1) and Nathan Sanchez; Jordan Hammack, Cole Tonnemacher (1), Woody Hawkins (5) and Cody Reichart. W — Martin. L — W. Hawkins.
HITS: Mos — Z. Hull 2, Weaver 3, Robertson, Helbling 2, S. Hull, Sanchez. Spt — Semones, C. Hawkins 2, Tonnemacher, W. Hawkins 2, Cramer, Reichart, Gibson, Fisher. 2B — W. Hawkins, Tonnemacher, Weaver 2, Sanchez. HR — C. Hawkins.