MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — Neither team had an advantage on the scoreboard when Bridgeport and Morgantown resumed the first game of their Class AAA Region I series Tuesday at Mylan Park.
While the contest was scoreless in the home half of the third inning, BHS was able to bring back starting pitcher Christopher Harbert, who had thrown 29 pitches before rain stopped the action Monday. The Mohigans, meanwhile, were unable to rely on ace pitcher Quincy Thornton, who because of 57 pitches thrown Monday is unable to take the mound again until Thursday.
Although the matchup remained without a run until the fifth inning, Bridgeport struck for seven two-out runs over the final three innings to claim a 7-3 victory.
“We had some botched plays on the offensive end, but we still scored seven runs and did everything with two outs,” Bridgeport coach Robert Shields said. “I commend our guys for scoring with two outs. My hats off to our kids locking in and doing what they’re supposed to do there. They age me, but they keep finding a way.”
The win gives BHS (31-3) a chance to finish off the best-of-three series at home Wednesday, while the Mohigans (21-5) need two consecutive wins to earn the spot in the state tournament.
“We have to come back tomorrow, try to wipe this game out so we can go on to the next step,” Shields said.
The Indians produced five straight two-out hits in the fifth inning off MHS pitcher Reed Bailey to score four runs. Frank Why got it started with a single, which was followed by a Ryan Goff single. Nate Paulsen’s infield single to third allowed Why to score the game’s first run, before JD Love ripped a single to left that brought Goff home.
Aidan Paulsen then delivered a critical two-out double to left, allowing Nate Paulsen and Trent Haines to score.
“Yesterday we didn’t really hit the ball like we should’ve,” Aidan Paulsen said. “Today, coming in we had a little more intensity, which we need to keep throughout the whole game instead of just when we’re hitting the ball. When we got up, everyone is piecing balls and we’re playing Bridgeport baseball. We did some hitting before the game and everyone was feeling good.”
Morgantown answered back with three runs in the fifth off Harbert to draw to within one run. Ryan Fluharty led off with a double and after Ty Galusky drew a walk, Fluharty scored on Thornton’s double.
Zach Brennan and Domenic Colasante followed with RBI groundouts to make it a 4-3 game, but the Mohigans got no closer.
“I wanted him to pitch to contact and go out by out to get out of it,” Shields said.
Despite a failed suicide squeeze in the top of the fifth that resulted in Ben McDougal being tagged out at the plate, the Indians doubled their lead when Cam Cole scored on a wild pitch.
Harbert retired the side in order in the sixth and McDougal delivered a double to left that was misplayed in the air and allowed Aidan Paulsen and Cam Rubenstein to score for a 7-3 lead in the seventh.
“They scored all their runs with two outs and didn’t give away any at bats,” MHS coach Pat Sherald said. “Great two-strike hitting. We gave up a ton of two-strike outs and that’s a testament to their team and how they competed and made the plays when they had to.”
Harbert sat down Morgantown in order in the seventh to finish off the complete game effort that spanned two days.
Harbert struck out seven, walked three and surrendered five hits in seven innings.
“He’s a gutsy kid that wanted the ball and was determined to win this ball game,” Shields said.
Bailey allowed seven runs on nine hits and struck out three in four innings.