GREENCASTLE BASEBALL SECTIONAL: Greencastle sees off Southmont for sectional final spot

With the dugout cheering him on, Greencastle's Jayce Spidel, used as a courtesy runner for catcher Ashton Dayhuff, scores the go-ahead run after his steal of third base was compounded by an errant Southmont throw. The Tiger Cubs, after allowing two runs in the top of the first, shutout the Mounties the rest of the way in a 7-2 win to secure a spot in the sectional final later Monday evening.

Banner Graphic/TRENT SCOTT

A bad start does not always mean that a team will struggle. Greencastle used a resilient attitude to bounce back after giving up two runs early to pick up a 7-2 victory over the Southmont Mounties in the semifinal of IHSAA Baseball Class 2A Sectional No. 44 Monday evening.

After giving up two runs in the top half of the first inning, the Cubs answered back by scoring seven runs over the remainder of the game. The win allowed Greencastle to advance to the championship game against County rival, Cloverdale.

The Mounties season would end with an overall record of 1-20, while the Cubs improved 14-10 before the championship game against the Clovers.

Southmont took advantage of a slow defensive start by the Cubs in the opening inning. Cale Chadd led the game off by reaching first base on an error. He scored as Dean McGaughey also reached on error and ended up on third base on the overthrow to first. McGaughey later scored on a sacrifice bunt by Micah Koger. Greencastle trailed 2-0 after the first half inning.

Greencastle would answer quickly in the bottom half of the inning. Sam Gooch led off the inning with an infield single. Bryton Gregg singled him to third. Nathan Sutherlin walked to load the bases. Gooch was forced out at home on a fielder’s choice setting up Trevin Long to drive in Gregg on a ground ball to first as the throw was high to the plate.

The Cubs tied the game at 2-2 as Treyten Clark hit a sacrifice fly to right plating Sutherlin.

Greencastle would threaten in the second inning and so would the Mounties. Southmont had two runners on base when Clark made a great running catch in left field to end the threat.

Greencastle would take the lead in the bottom of the third as Long would double before stealing third, racing home as the throw went into left field for a lead the hosts would never relinquish.

The teams were scoreless in the fourth and with Sutherlin settling into a groove on the mound, the Cubs would break it open in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Sutherlin opened the inning by legging out an infield single and scored as Ashton Dayhuff doubled to right center. Trevin Long hit the ball to right field which was misplayed for a double, allowing courtesy runner Jayce Spidel to reach third.

Clark would drive both of them home with a single to post a 6-2 lead for the Cubs heading into the sixth inning.

Sutherlin shut the Mounties down again in the top half and the Cubs added an insurance run in the bottom half of the inning.

Dayhuff walked, Spidel, running again, stole second and advanced to third on a wild pitch, later scoring on a ground out by Clark to take the 7-2 lead as Sutherlin was able to overcome a walk and a hit batsman in the seventh to get the win and advance.

Clark finished the night with one hit and four RBIs. Gooch and Gregg had a pair of hits for the Cubs. Sutherlin finished the complete game, giving up only three hits and three walks while striking out 11 Mounties. The sophomore hurler did not give up an earned run on the day.

Southmont 200 000 0 — 2 3 2

Greencastle 201 031 X — 7 8 2

WP – Sutherlin 7.0. LP Chadd 4.1, Benge 1.0, Shirk 0.2

2B – Long, Dayhuff (GHS)

RBI – Kiger (SHS), Clark 4, Long, Dayhuff (GHS)