MUSKOGEE – The Muskogee Roughers waited until the bottom of the seventh to score on a wild pitch to break a 0-0 tie Friday afternoon.
With the exception of a walk to Roughers Jace Paul, in the third, the opening four innings were all 3-up, 3-down. Ben Fulbright went the distance for Muskogee allowing no runs and just 3 hits spread over three innings.
With one out in the top of the fifth, the Eagles made a bid for a score when after a single by Justin Duke a sacrifice bunt advanced the runner to second. The next batter, Austin Spradlin, singled to center fielder Thairenn Thompson. Thompson threw a strike to catcher Luke Jamison catching Duke at the plate to end the inning.
In the bottom of the fifth after two consecutive walks, Ben Fulbright singled. This time it was the Eagles turn to catch Thompson at the plate to keep the game scoreless.
The sixth inning went three up three down for both teams. Warner had another opportunity in the top of the seventh. A seeing eye single that fell between three Roughers put Caden Thompson on first. Wyatt Hamilton hit into a fielder’s choice for the second out. With two outs Duke was hit by a pitch followed by a Kaleb Spradlin walk.
With the bases loaded a Muskogee wild pitch saw Wyatt trying to steal home but Fulbright covered the plate to tag him out and keep the game scoreless.
In the bottom of the seventh Jace Jackson took over on the mound for the Eagles. He struck out the first batter, but Dale Grant followed with a double to left. Thompson was then hit by a pitch to put two runners on. A walk to Fulbright loaded the bases.
With two outs and the bases loaded Jackson threw a wild pitch on a 3 ball 1 strike count that got Grant a crossed the plate for the game’s only score and a Rougher win.
Neither team committed an error over the well-played, seven inning contest. Warner’s lefty, Hamilton, went six innings, only allowing 2 hits while striking out seven and walking two Muskogee batters.
The Roughers will to the Gulf Shores Classic from the 13th through the 15th, and the 14th ranked Eagles will take on Porum at home.