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"We certainly earned it, and we're happy to finally get one," Brattleboro coach Chris Groeger said. "The kids have been working hard and things just haven't fallen our way, but today we were able to hang with it and in the end, we were able to get out of here with a win."
With the Colonels trailing, 6-3, and the bases loaded in the bottom of the sixth, they got the big hit they had trouble getting earlier in the game, when designated hitter Colby Kerylow hit a 3-2 pitch deep to right-center for a bases-clearing double.
"I was kind of worried because I struck out twice already, so with three balls and two strikes, I was hoping to put the bat on the ball and get a base hit," Kerylow said. "I felt good. The ball hit the spot of the bat and I knew I hit it far."
After a groundout to first, Chad Cutting stepped up and hit a single that got just under the third baseman's glove to drive in what would be the winning run.
Porter faced the heart of MSJ's order in the final frame and started things off by battling all the way back from a 3-0 count to strike out the first hitter of the inning. Porter then got Bill Shouldice to hit a fly ball to right where Ryan Smith, who was the starting pitcher, was able to make a leaping catch for the second out. He then got the next hitter to pop out to first to officially end Brattleboro's losing streak.
"I though Joel Porter did pretty nice job coming in for us. He kept us in the game and ultimately we were able to get out of here with a win," Groeger said.
Porter also got some help from his defense to get out of the sixth. Porter got the first hitter to fly out, before walking Colin McCormick, who quickly stole second base to get in scoring position. Ryan Gilbert than hit a fly ball deep but not deep enough, as Andrew Cavanagh positioned himself under it. The runner tagged after the ball was caught, but Cavanagh made a perfect throw to third on the fly and the runner was out.
"That was big at the time. It kind of lifted our spirits again," Groeger said. "He made a couple throws the other day that sailed a little bit, so for him to get that one down and get the out was big for us."
MSJ ace Ryan Carter had scouts watching himand, according to Groeger, his fastball was clocked at 90-91 miles per hour more than once. Carter was throwing hard, but at times, it appeared he was trying to throw too hard, which led to control problems and his early departure with two outs in the fifth.
MSJ led 6-1 to start the bottom of the fifth, but Carter walked Kyle Whitworth to lead off the inning before Joel Martell singled to left. Carter managed to strikeout the next two hitters swinging, but he quickly lost his control again. Chad Cutting worked a walk to load the bases and Andrew King walked to pick up an RBI. Will Hadeka came in to relieve Carter, but gave Brattleboro its second run of the inning when his first pitch was wild and Martell scored from third.
With runners on second and third, Troy Scott looked like he was going to be the early hero for Brattleboro when he hit what appeared to be a sure two-run single, but after the Colonels left the bases loaded in the second and third innings, they found themselves in a familiar situation when leftfielder Rich Kussell sprinted after the ball and dove, making the full-extension grab to end the inning.
"I just had to remind the kids at that point that there was still time left to go because you could see the air kind of come out. We want to try to stay as positive as we can," Groeger said.
Smith started the game off strong, allowing his defense to make plays, but he was hurt by walks and a two-run error. Smith had a stronger day at the plate, finishing 2-for-4, including an RBI single just past the diving first baseman for the Colonels' first run in the third inning.
Brattleboro (2-7) travels to Burr and Burton at 4:30 p.m. Friday to try to get their first win-streak of the season.
Mike Farrell can be reached at mfarrell@reformer.com, or by calling 802-254-2311, ext. 164.
