Indians win opener over Vikings

SHARPSBURG-The East Coweta Indians took advantage of a pair of Northgate errors in the bottom of the fourth inning Wednesday afternoon while Zack McCurry and Austin Bellamay combined on a five-hitter to defeat the Vikings 4-1.
Northgate, who lost their opener 2-0 to Troup on Monday, took the lead in the top of the second inning as Spencer Perry reached on a walk, Chase Allen followed with a single and Burden loaded the bases after reaching on a one out walk.
With J.D. Ginn at the plate, McCurry was called for a balk and courtesy runner Zach Schmits was awarded home with the Vikings' lone run of the game.
However, the Indians came back in the bottom of the frame to tie the game at 1-1 against losing pitcher Robert Massenburg as Geremy Walton demonstrated his power when he lined a shot to the fence in left center field and came home on an RBI single by Bryce Gemmel.
The Indians had a chance to take control in the inning as Blake Lorow and Travis Williams walked to load the bases but a ball hit by Tim Manning hit Williams he ran the bases and Massenburg retired Cameron Smith on strikes.
In the fourth inning, Massenburg retired gemmel on a groundout but Lorow and Williams reached on consecutive walks while Manning reached base after being hit by a pitch.
Massenburg appeared to be getting out of the mess as Smith appeared to hit a ground ball to Blake Green at second but a hop through his legs allowed Bellamy to score the lead run.
After matthew myers was retired on strikes, Cole Antman hit a flyball to right field but the ball glanced off of the right fielder's glove with Williams and Manning to come home with two insurance runs.
The Vikings had a chance to cut into the lead in the top of the fifth inning with two runners on base but they were unable to come away with a big hit.
Schmits took over for Northgate in the bottom of the fifth and pitched two effective innings while Bellamy took over in the top of the sixth inning for East Coweta and retired all six batters he would face.
NOTES:East Coweta's game on Friday against Sandy Creek was postponed due to the weather. It will be played on February 27.
Norgate face the Patriots at Thursday afternoon and travel to Luella on Friday. No results from Thursday were available while the Friday met the weather grinch.