Early four-run lead evaporates in 10-6 loss to Tampa
By Jimmy Durkin Staff Writer
The online webcast of the Colt World Series experienced technical difficulties and listeners back home were unable to keep track of the Morgan Hill Colt Division All-Star’s semifinal game Tuesday against Tampa, Fla., until the top of the fourth inning.
Once the webcast finally became available, the good news was announced that Morgan Hill had jumped out to a 4-0 lead against the three-time defending champions.
But almost immediately, the team began experiencing some technical difficulties of its own, allowing five runs in the fourth and four more in the fifth to watch its world championship dreams come crashing down in a 10-6 loss.
Morgan Hill, which came into medal round play with more runs scored (33) than any other team, struck early with a run in the first and added three more in the third.
But Morgan Hill pitcher Matt Cummins (Live Oak) ran into trouble in the top of the fourth. Tampa loaded the bases with one out and Austin Hartzler drove in the first run with an RBI single.
Anthony Ferrera closed the gap to 4-3 with a two-run double and after a walk to Matt Fest, Morgan Hill caught a break. Derek Heiser failed to put down a suicide squeeze bunt and Hartzler was tagged out at home.
But Heiser redeemed himself by delivering a two-run single to give Tampa its first lead at 5-4 and it wouldn’t trail the rest of the way.
Tampa scored three more times off Cummins before he was removed with two outs in the top of the fifth. James Johnson entered and immediately balked home a run before getting the final batter to fly out to end the inning with Tampa leading 9-4.
Morgan Hill went down in order in the fifth and Tampa scored a run in its half of the sixth to extend the lead to 10-4 before the local team made some noise.
Christian Lam (Valley Christian) led off with a walk and Charlie McClung (Monte Vista Christian) was hit by a pitch. Adam Hill (Valley Christian) dropped down a bunt and reached first when McClung was forced out at second.
Danny Nelson drove in Lam with a sacrifice fly to make it 10-5 but the inning ended when Hill was thrown out in his attempt to get back to first base after the catch was made.
Jon Hughes (Valley Christian) pitched a strong seventh inning, setting Tampa down in order and Morgan Hill attempted to rally in its last at-bat.
Billy Hill (Sobrato) led off with a single and after Cummins and Hughes were retired, Ryan Evanger (Gilroy) delivered an RBI single. Kevin Grove (Gilroy) followed with a walk and Lam reached on an infield single to load the bases.
Alika Bantilan entered the game as a pinch-hitter representing the tying run, but struck out to end the game and the season for Morgan Hill.
Jimmy Durkin covers sports for South Valley Newspapers. Reach him at (408) 779-4106 ext. 203 or jd*****@*************es.com.
