EC freshmen sweep Mustangs in doubleheader

Adrian Roman looks in for a sign in his start Wednesday
against the Ola Mustangs. Roman allowed three hits in four
innings of East Coweta's 5-0 win in game one of a freshman
doubleheader.

SHARPSBURG-Fans looking for an entertaining way to end a baseball game had to look no further than the second game of a Wednesday freshman doubleheader between the East Coweta Indians and the Ola Mustangs.

What appeared to be a walk to load the bases for the Mustangs with two outs in the top of the fifth turned out be something different as the entire Indians infield executed a rundown of a baserunner to preserve a 2-1 win and a sweep of the twin bill.

The Indians, now 5-1 on the young season, began the day with a 5-0 victory as Adrian Roman and Trey Jones combined for a three-hitter.

In the opener, the Mustangs threatened to take the lead in the top of the second inning with two base runners and two outs when starting pitcher Kameron Laine singled to right field.

Holland was sent home on the play but Indians right fielder Dekel Williams threw a strike to Ryan Barber behind the plate and the third out was recorded to keep the run off the board.

The Indians responded after two outs in the bottom of the frame with three runs to take the lead they would never give up.

Ben Brisky led off the inning by reaching first base after being hit by a pitch and Kaleb Carey reached on a single.

Following the Carey single, Jones was hit by a pitch to load the bases.

A strikeout was recorded then Charlie Paige hit a line drive down the first base line which allowed Brisky to score and Carey to advance to third as the out at first was being recorded.

Dekel Williams had an impact in both games of a
doubleheader sweep for the East Coweta Indians as he
threw a strike to nail a runner at home in game one and
in game two had a double that became the deciding run
in a 2-1 win.  

A single by Nico Senese gave EC a 2-0 lead as Carey was crossed home plate and the final run of the inning came home as the result of a balk call that allowed Jones to score.

In the bottom of the third inning, the Indians added to their lead as Kaleb Gardner led off with a double and moved to third on a single by Brisky who stole second while Carey was at the plate.

Carey lined a shot off of the pitching hand of Laine and the ball rolled toward the shortstop who threw the ball past the first baseman.

On the play, Gardner and Brisky came home while Laine came out as he was in pain after the liner.

The lead was more than enough for Roman who allowed three hits in the second inning but was excellent in his four inning stint on the mound as he recorded seven strikeouts and allowed two walks.

Roman was relieved by Jones in the top of the fifth and after a walk to the leadoff batter was able to get out the inning and end the game with a pair of groundouts and a strikeout.

In the second game, the two teams were scoreless until there were two outs in the bottom of the third inning when Denver Watson reached first after a third strikeout was mishandled and Williams reached on a double that advanced Watson to third.

Nico Senese prepares to deliver a pitch in the second game
of the freshman doubleheader between East Coweta and Ola.

Senese, who was the starting pitcher in game two, aided his own cause as lined a double inside the third base line allowing Watson and Williams to come home.

The second run proved to be important as the Mustangs tried to rally in the top of the fourth inning.

After a double play was turned in the frame, Senese surrendered a single to Jack Robinson and the former was replaced on the mound by Zach Carlton.

In three and two-third innings, Senese allowed four hits and recorded four strikeouts.

Robinson moved to second on a passed ball and cut the margin to 2-1 as Talon Holland reached on an RBI single.

Cochran was able to record the third out of the inning and got through the top of the fifth inning as he retired the first two batters on groundouts.

However, the game was far from over as Hunter Basko reached on an error and Jackson Owens followed with a single.

A walk to Ola starting pitcher Austin Merritt was to have loaded the bases but Basko was caught off of the third base and the old “pickle” play was in effect as a number of players were involved in the rundown before catcher Austin Black was able to apply the tag and end the game.

The freshmen will play again on Friday when they host Northgate in a doubleheader beginning at noon.

Meanwhile, the EC Junior Varsity will travel to the home of the Vikings Thursday in a doubleheader beginning at 10am while the Varsity will host Hardaway at 3:30 with a game against Northside-Columbus to follow.