AA No. 1 Bridgeport erupts for nine runs in 6th to beat Elkins

BRIDGEPORT, W.Va. — Class AA No. 1 Bridgeport erupted for nine runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to break open what was a tight winners bracket sectional contest with Elkins, pulling away for a 12-2 six-inning win.

“This is the way these boys have been all year long,” said Bridgeport coach Robert Shields. “In some of our games — they wait. And I know it’s going to catch up with us. But I’ll take the explosion in the sixth inning. We executed and did some good things right there.”

The Indians (22-9) took control of the game in the first, taking a 3-0 lead as Chapin Murphy hit a two-run home run.

“That was big, too,” Shields said. “Chapin got a hold of the ball — he got a good pitch and lined a home run, which was good for us. I’m happy, but this tournament is far from over because Elkins is a scrappy team and they’re going to be coming fighting back.”

Koby Kiefer led off the first inning with a single and later scored on an RBI single from Brayden Lesher, prior to Murphy’s home run.

Elkins chipped away with a run in the second and a run in the fourth prior to Bridgeport’s decisive sixth inning.

Lesher went the distance for Bridgeport in the start, giving up seven hits and striking out seven.

Kiefer finished 3 for 3 with a run scored, while Murphy went 3 for 4 with four RBIs and three runs scored. Lesher and Nate Cole both added two hits apiece in the win as well.

Matt Gainer went 2 for 3 in the loss for Elkins (13-10).

AA Region 2, Section 1: #1 Bridgeport, Elkins, Lincoln, Liberty (H), Robert C. Byrd

• Robert C. Byrd 11, Liberty 7
• Elkins 7, Lincoln 1
• Bridgeport 11, Robert C. Byrd 5
• Lincoln 14, Liberty 4 — Liberty eliminated
• #1 Bridgeport 12, Elkins 2