Blue dominates for Game Seven clincher
An evenly played series turned into a lopsided game-seven win for Blue as they scored seven runs in the fifth inning and won 11-1 in the decisive game on Wednesday afternoon at Clifford Cormell Field.
Red look poised to repeat their series evening win from Tuesday with a quick first inning run on a Bucky Wells' RBI single only to see Blue answer with an impressive offensive outburst resulting in the lopsided victory. After Blue starter Zane Petty's shaky first frame, the senior right-hander settled down and allowed only one more hit in five innings of work. Over the five innings, he struck out five and walked two, allowing just the one earned run. Senior left-hander Shane Gebhards was able to shut the door on Red with an inning of shutout ball, allowing a hit and striking out two.
Offensively, Blue spread out their attack with every spot in the order collecting at least one hit. Eight different players scored, beginning with a two-run second in which Jacob Wallace and Taylor Norfleet were plated by a Colby Green single. Green had a big day with two hits and four RBIs. Norfleet was on base four times, scoring three times and driving in two. He finished the World Series with six RBIs and seven runs scored thanks to six base-on-balls and four hits, including a homerun. Wallace hit .368 in the series scoring four times and knocking in two. Blue scored the seven runs in the fifth on five base hits.
On the mound, Petty was the Series hero for Blue as he collected a save and the big game-seven victory. He allowed only two runs in ten innings of work with six strikeouts. Freshman Don Sandifer more than held his own in the series, allowing only two runs in ten innings as well, while striking out seven and walking none. Meanwhile all senior Shane Gebhards did was toss six scoreless frames in the series, striking out an impressive ten Red batters and allowing only four hits.
On the flip side, Red was led throughout the Series by Barrett Kleinknecht, both on the mound and at the plate. He collected nine hits in the seven games and knocked in three runs. On the mound, Kleinknecht tossed ten innings, striking out nine and allowing only one run. Tyler Boyd was the other offensive leader as he drove in four and rapped out ten hits.
The Fall 2009 Francis Marion Baseball World Series Awards were voted on by the coaching staff. For Red, the best offensive player goes to sophomore outfielder Tyler Boyd and the best pitcher goes to senior Barrett Kleinknecht. For Blue, senior catcher Jacob Wallace wins the offensive award. Senior Shane Gebhards wins the Blue pitcher award, and senior righty Zane Petty wins the MVP for the World Series.
