For the Daily Reporter
PENDLETON — The Greenfield-Central Cougars were one bad inning away from getting an important conference doubleheader sweep Friday night. Unfortunately, the bad inning struck and the Cougars had to settle for a split with Pendleton Heights, losing Game 1 4-2 and winning Game 2 7-0.
“You know, if it weren’t for that one bad inning, we would have had a great chance at getting both games,” Cougars coach Robbie Miller said.
The inning Miller was referencing was the third inning of the first game. It started with a home run by the Arabians’ eight hole hitter, Ben Richards. The Arabians then proceeded to load the bases on seeing-eye singles, which led to consecutive sacrifice flies, giving Pendleton a 3-0 lead.
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“I think early on tonight we were trying to do too much at the plate,” Miller said.
The Cougars had a golden opportunity to tie the game in the sixth inning, but were only able to get two runs out of a bases loaded/nobody out situation. They were unable to rally in the seventh as any hopes of that were dashed by a diving grab by Arabians right fielder Kamden Earley.
“Aside from that one inning, I think McDowell threw his best game of the year,” Miller said. “We just weren’t able to get him a win.”
Adam Hutchison took the mound for Game 2 and ensured the Cougars would get a split out of their trip north. Hutchison pitched a complete game, allowing five hits with eight strikeouts. In the first two innings, the Arabians were able to get a runner to third base with less than two outs, but Hutchison was able to strike out the ensuing batters to prevent the run from scoring. Pendleton would not get a runner past second base the rest of the way.
“[Hutchison] threw a great game,” Miller said. “Our coaches have really been working with him to get him to mix up his pitches and that showed tonight by how he was able to keep them off balance.”
The Cougars were able to put the outcome of the game out of doubt in the fifth inning, as they plated five runs on four singles, an Arabians error, and a dropped third strike.
“As the night went on we were finally putting the ball in play, and good things happened,” Miller said. “We are going to battle every game and get better every day. This team is a sectional opponent, so we need to see how we stack up.”
The night’s results bring the Cougars’ record to 9-7 overall and 5-5 in the HHC. Their next conference doubleheader brings another sectional opponent and county rival: Mt. Vernon.
