WINFIELD, W.Va. — In a game where runs were at a premium, Winfield took advantage of enough of their scoring opportunities to defeat Charleston Catholic, 3-0. Both teams entered the contest with undefeated records and No. 1 rankings in their respective classes in the MetroNews Power Rankings.
The defending Class AA state champion Generals (13-0) scored once in the second and twice more in the fourth to collect their 28th win in their last 29 games dating back to the end of last season.
“We graduated six senior starters last year. The guys that are replacing them are really talented players. But those guys last year were 18. These guys are 15 and 16,” said Winfield head coach Will Isaacs. “But they are really good players. Did I envision this? No. We just try to be 1-0 each day whether it is a game or a practice.”
Winfield scored the game’s first run in the bottom of the second when freshman Jared Miller scored on a fielders choice.
It appeared Charleston Catholic was going to dent the scoreboard in the top of the fourth inning. With a runner on first base and one out, Gage Tawney delivered a base hit into the gap in right center. However, the Generals turned it into an inning-ending 8-4-5-2 double play. Karson Frye fielded the ball to start the play.
“We have very good arms in the outfield. Ean [Cox] made a great relay on that ball,” Isaacs said.
“I think that was just an example of us continuing to play until the inning is over.”
Winfield scored twice more in the bottom of the fourth. An infield single from Cox sent Blake Withrow to the plate. Preston Keiffer was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, forcing home Austin Blackwell.
Staked to the three-run lead, senior Xavier Hensley was in control on the mound for the Generals. He tossed six innings of shutout ball. Hensley allowed five hits, walked just one and struck out a pair of batters.
“What Xavier does is he makes the other team swing the bat. That’s what we talk about, moving the barrel and making the other team put the ball in play. I think we have a pretty good and athletic defense. I tell our pitchers that you have to trust your defense because it is nine against one.”
Miller pitched a 1-2-3 seventh inning to earn the save.
Charleston Catholic (8-1) starting pitcher Connor Jarvis struck out seven batters in four innings of work. Tawney added a pair of scoreless innings in relief. The Irish outhit the Generals, 5-4. Jeff Reynolds went 2-for-3 for CCHS.