HH outlasts KHS in 10 innings
Win gives Chargers a series sweep, clinches district championship
KHS SENIOR Will Taylor prepares to deliver a pitch during his relief outing at Heritage Hall. Taylor gave up just one run over 4 2/3 innings. [Photo by Chris Simon/www.simon-sports-photos.smugmug.com]
Kingfisher suffered two losses in one game Wednesday when it visited Heritage Hall.
The Jackets were upended 4-3 in 10 innings by the Chargers.
The defeat ended the Jackets’ hopes of winning District 4A-1 as it gave Heritage Hall a sweep in the two-game series.
KHS needed to win by at least four runs to claim the district crown, but never could stake more than a one-run lead in the backand-forth affair.
After falling behind 1-0, KHS led 2-1 after the top of the fourth and 3-2 after the top of the fifth.
Each time, though, the Chargers had an answer.
After five straight scoreless innings, Heritage Hall was able to end it when Austin Lemon’s two-out single with the bases loaded scored Colby Lewis.
The Jackets had avoided that fate one batter earlier when Will Taylor coaxed a bases-loaded grounder to T.J. Parker at third.
Parker fired a shot to home plate to get a force out.
Although Will Taylor was tagged with the loss, he offered up his second stellar performance on the mound in less than a week.
He started the sixth inning to relieve starter Ian Daugherty and gave up just two hits and the lone unearned run.
Taylor struck out two batters and walked four.
He got the win on Saturday when KHS blanked Piedmont 2-0.
In that contest, Taylor threw the first four innings. He gave up just two hits and struck out six without walking a batter.
His brother Tate Taylor provided the early offense for the Jackets against the Chargers.
Tate Taylor’s two-out single in the second inning scored Mason Snider to tie the game at 1-1.
He delivered another two-out single in the fourth to give the Jackets a 2-1 lead when Caleb Dick crossed home plate.
Parker, Tate Barton and Dick singled to lead the bases in the fifth.
Brayden States, running for Parker, was able to put KHS up 3-2 when he scored on a passed ball.
The lead didn’t last as the Chargers were able to get a runner in scoring position then tie the game on a steal of home plate.
Daugherty threw five innings, surrendered five hits and three earned runs.
He struck out five Chargers and walked four.
The Jackets got their wish in chasing Heritage Hall starter Gray Thomas early.
The 6-foot-4 TCU signee lasted 1 2/3 innings before being relieved.
He walked three batters and hit two more, including Cade Stephenson to load the bases in the second inning.
The Chargers went to Brigham Evans, who was able to get Daugherty to pop up to end the inning.
Evans pitched 3 1/3 innings before Bowen Bridges handled the last five to earn the win. He didn’t give up a run and allowed just two hits.
After collecting just one hit in Monday’s loss, the Jackets managed seven this time around.
Dick, Parker and Tate Taylor had two apiece.
Taylor’s two RBIs were the only ones of the game for KHS.
Heritage Hall moved to 18-4 overall and 10-0 in the district. The Chargers will win the district, even if they lose twice to Seminole, which has yet to win a district game.
KHS was 17-7 overall and finished 4A-1 with a 10-2 mark.
The Jackets were playing over the weekend in the 89’er Invitational at Guthrie.