IHS explodes for 20 runs

Published 11:02 pm Friday, March 19, 2010

While most students enjoyed their spring break, four teams took to the diamond all day Friday.

During the final match-up of a quadruple-header at Isabella High School, the host Mustang varsity baseball team let ’er rip during the fourth inning.

In a game rife with errors, wild pitches and beaned batters, the home team cranked out 14 runs to come from behind, as they defeated Shelby County’s Vincent High School 20-10.

Blake Lawley hammered a Collin Spradley pitch for a towering home run late in the fourth inning during the timely offensive explosion that saw hits from nearly every batter.

Sophomore Sawyer Cahalane’s bat caught fire as well, driving in three runs on two hits.

Mustang starting pitcher Nick Noah gave up three quick runs in the second inning, putting Vincent up 3-0.

Sure enough, after his teammate was hit by a Lawley pitch, the VHS hitter drove in three runs with a powerful double, leading a six-run charge to put his team up 6-3.

Vincent starting pitcher Collin Spradley also got it done with his bat, driving in a pair of runs and adding to his team’s 8-4 lead.

But Spradley would pitch one he’d like soon to forget.

Once the fourth inning hit, so did the Mustangs.

VHS used three pitchers against Leeds High School just several hours before they played again, explaining the lack of relief for Spradley.

Sean Haigler crossed the plate on another Cahalane RBI base hit, cutting the score to 8-6. Vincent’s pitcher was called for a balk with the bases loaded, letting a runner touch home plate to make the score 8-7.

Then the Mustangs erupted.

Trent Wyatt knocked three runs in with a single. Adam Jones also drove a runner in with a fielder’s choice.

Collin Spradley threw a wild pitch to allow another run in the fourth, followed by Adam Jones stealing home to increase Isabella’s lead to 13-8.

Shortstop Allen Edwards drove in two runs with a stand-up double. Cody Smith also had an RBI single.

Lawley jacked a two-run home run in the fourth inning, giving the Mustangs a commanding 18-8 lead that foreshadowed the imminent 10-run rule.

Lawley made sure to touch home plate with both of his feet to ensure his run counted.

Earlier during Isabella’s game against Bibb County High School, Lawley’s run was taken away when the umpire ruled he didn’t touch the plate.

The home run rounded out a startling 14-run inning that closed the door on any hope for a Vincent comeback.

But they gave it their best shot, scoring two runs in the fifth inning after a wild pitch and then a pick-off error from relief pitcher Trent Wyatt.

After a stand-up double from center-fielder Austin Anderson, Adam Jones drove home one run, followed by a sacrifice fly from Sean Haigler, which scored the winning run for the Mustangs.

Vincent’s Johnny King stole two bases pinch running.

Bibb County defeated Isabella, 12-8, earlier Friday. They also beat Leeds High School, 6-2. Leeds defeated Vincent 15-0.

The Mustangs improved to 6-11 with the victory over Vincent.

They play again at home versus Maplesville High School on March 23.