By: Jack Withrow, WVMetroNews.com
HURRICANE, W.Va. – Class AAA No. 7 Nitro defeated No. 2 Hurricane 3-1 on Wednesday night at Lola Meeks Memorial Field in Hurricane to claim its first Mountain State Athletic Conference baseball title since 2009.
Redskins’ starting pitcher Blake Stover scattered five hits over six innings, but a costly error extended the 3rd inning for the Wildcats. With two outs, Nitro senior Matt Harrison launched an 0-1 pitch over the centerfield wall for a 3-run home run, which proved to be the eventual game winner.
Hurricane got a run back in the bottom half of the third inning as catcher Jake Allen doubled to right field and then Noah Berthisel’s 2-out single back up the middle scored courtesy runner Liam Bailey.
However, starting pitcher Jared Hill allowed only one more hit to secure the victory on the mound for the Wildcats (15-9). Hill tossed six innings while allowing one run on five hits and striking out five. Senior pitcher Jacob Bradley, a Marshall baseball signee, picked up the save as he struck out two in the final frame.
For Hurricane (21-6), shortstop Aaron Perry went 2-of-4 at the plate with a double.
Nitro 0 0 3 0 0 0 0 – 3 5 0
Hurricane 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 – 1 5 2
Hill, Bradley(7) and Jewell. Stover, McClure(7) and Allen.
WP: Jared Hill
SV: Jacob Bradley
LP: Blake Stover
Top Hitters – N: Harrison 1-3, HR, 3RBI; Jewell double; Williams 1-3; Flores 1-3; Hill 1-3 H: Perry 2-4, double; Allen double; Berthisel 1-2, RBI; Dearing 1-2