The West Liberty-Salem Tigers 12U baseball team overcame a four-run deficit to take down visiting Bellefontaine on a toasty Tuesday evening at LEI Field 8-6.
WL-S’ Caizen Anders opened the scoring with a solo home run to right center in the first inning. Bellefontaine answered with four runs in their next at-bat on back-to-back two-run singles off the bats of Briar Barber and Korbin Smith. Parker Artis’ third inning single gave the visitors their largest lead of the game at 5-1.
The Tiger offense recorded two quick outs to start the bottom of the third before Brennan May sparked the home team with a line drive single. After a Nathan Deitrick double, Anders clubbed his second home run of the game, and third in as many at bats dating back to Sunday’s win at West Jeff, to draw the Tigers within one run. The Tigers’ two-out rally continued with a Harrison Sutherin single, a Greyson Leichty walk and the second three-run home run of the inning. Carter Underwood’s third homer of the season gave his squad a 7-5 lead.
Bellefontaine inched closer on a Caleb Palmer solo home run off the top of the right field fence in the top of the fifth inning, but Underwood drove in his fourth run of the game with another clutch two-out RBI in the bottom of the inning to hand his closer an 8-6 lead heading into Bellefontaine’s last at bat. Anders retired the Chieftains in order on 11 pitches to preserve the win for WL-S.
WL-S starting pitcher Michael Beard earned the win after five strong innings on the mound. Beard walked just one batter and finished 2 for 3 at the plate.
Both squads will be back in action this weekend at WL-S’ annual Fireworks Classic. The Chieftains are looking to defend their title from a year ago in the 12U tournament.
