Gremlins use seven-run fourth inning to top Tipton

The Sacred Heart baseball team scored seven runs in the fourth inning and four in the fifth to break open a 3-3 tie en route to a 14-9 win over Tipton on Thursday at Centennial Park.

The Gremlins (8-5) had a balanced offensive attack.

Cale Spangler went 3-for-4 with a double and two RBIs. Nicolai Cox went 3-4 with a home run and two RBIs. Caleb Morrison went 2-4. Ryan Gerrish went 2-4 with a double.

“For the first time all season, one through nine hit the ball well,” Sacred Heart coach Steve Goodwin said. “One through nine were really in the ballgame tonight. This is probably our best overall game of the season.”  

Tipton led 1-0 after the top of the first and later tied the game twice, but the Gremlins got to Tipton starter Wade Wood in the fourth. In 3 1-3 innings, Wood allowed eight runs (six earned) on six hits to take the loss.

Gremlin winning pitcher Sam Liston allowed six runs on eight hits in four innings of work.

The Sacred Heart fourth was started by Morrison, who reached on a grounder when the third baseman and shortstop collided. Gerrish singled and Chris Pottorff walked to load the bases. Jacob Harlan hit a ball that bounced over the third baseman’s head, scoring Morrison and Gerrish and putting the Gremlins ahead 5-3.

Wes Register walked to load the bases again.  

Tipton switched pitchers to Keil Allison. Spangler reached on an error by the first baseman, which allowed Pottorff and Harlan to score. Liston hit a single and scored two more. Rock Curry hit a single, scoring two more runs and giving Sacred Heart a 10-3 lead.