Westminster rallies past Byng team in Alabama
Mar. 14—GULF SHORES, Ala. — Westminster Christian Academy (Georgia) scored single runs in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings during a 6-5 come-from-behind win over Byng Tuesday at the Gulf Coast Classic, hosted by Gulf Shores, Alabama.
The Pirates dropped to 1-5 after their third straight Alabama setback.
The Ada Cougars have also lost three straight Gulf Coast contests after suffering a 12-1 loss to Spanish Fort High School (Alabama) Tuesday evening. The Cougars are now 2-5 this spring.
Both local teams were scheduled to play single games in Alabama on Wednesday.
Westminster 6, Byng 5
The Pirates jumped out to a 5-1 lead after three full innings. That hot start included a three-run volley in the top of the second inning.
During that big frame, Ryan Shelton led off with a base hit and went to second on a one-out single by Hagen Graham. Shelton then raced home when Kix Stephens reached on an error to put the Pirates ahead 2-1.
Cooper McCage then delivered a run-scoring base hit and courtesy runner Talon Esquibel later scored on an RBI groundout by Mason Carter that pushed the BHS advantage to 4-1.
Westminster scored the winning run in the bottom of the seventh when Josh Goode reached on an infield hit, went to second on a sacrifice bunt by Amos Baldwin, stole third and scored on a bunt down the third-base line by Trey Perkins.
Byng out-hit Westminster 7-6. Carter and McCage led the BHS offense with 2-for-4 showings. Carter finished with an RBI and a run scored.
Byng also got a base hit from Preston Welch.
Lawson Collier led the Wildcats at the plate. he finished 2-for-4 with a solo home run and two runs scored. Sean Lapinskes went 2-for-4 with a double for Westminster.
Graham pitched five strong innings for Byng and didn't figure into the decision. He struck out eight, walked two and allowed two earned runs in five innings. Carter was the hard-luck loser for the Pirates in relief.
Goode got the start for the Wildcats. He struck out seven, walked two and allowed just one earned run in 6.2 innings.
Spanish Fort 12, Ada 1
The Toros led just 3-0 before exploding for nine runs in the bottom of the third inning to pull away.
Ada spoiled the shutout with a run in the top of the fourth inning.
Hunter McDonald led off with a base hit, went to second when Cade Stick reached on an error and scored on a two-out RBI single by Will Johnson.
McDonald (2-for-2) had two of only three total Ada hits in the contest.
Spanish Fort finished with seven hits and was led by Brayden Sharp, who finished 2-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. Both Jack Holley and John Winstead drove in two runs apiece for the Toros.
Sharp also earned the mound win for Spanish Fort. He struck out two, didn't walk a batter and allowed no earned runs in 3.2 innings.
